High Performance HLR

High Performance HLR Preliminary Design Document

About This Manual

This is Edition 7.20141001, last updated 2014-10-25, of The High Performance HLR Preliminary Design Document, for Version 1.1 release 7.20141001 of the OpenSS7 package.

Executive Overview

This document provides a High Level Design and development proposal for a High Performance 3GPP GSM/UMTS Home Location Register (HLR). The initial an primary purpose of this equipment is to perform high-volume load testing in the laboratory environment. As such, the data sets that are used to populate the HLR can be constrained to a degree permitting high performance from a small footprint, open source software and commodity hardware solution.

The OpenSS7 Project

The OpenSS7 Project is an open source software project that has developed many protocol components within the SS7, SIGTRAN, ISDN and VoIP protocol stacks. Intellectual property rights for the OpenSS7 Project are held by OpenSS7 Corporation. All OpenSS7 Project software is eventually licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License. OpenSS7 Corporation also provide commercial licensing of OpenSS7 Project software under terms less restrictive than the AGPL.

High Performance 3GPP GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR

OpenSS7 can provide 3GPP GSM/UMTS HLR capabilities in a high-performance, low-cost, small-footprint platform leveraging the GNU/Linux operating system distributions and tools, and utilizing low-cost commodity hardware.

For details on platform applications, see Application Architecture, Network Architecture, Optional Application Support, and Optional Network Support.

Open Source Software

The OpenSS7 Project leverages the widespread use of GNU/Linux operation systems, distributions, and FSF tools such as ‘autoconf’ and RPM. For example, this document was formatted for PDF, HTML, info and plain text using the GNU texinfo system, ‘autoconf’, and the TeX formatting system.

The open source model avoids proprietary lock-in and permits in-house or outsourced development. All source code is available for use and modification by the end customer. All build tools, documentation and associated resources are generally available. The availability of the source code and complete documentation eases problem resolution and can offer upgrades and fixes even in advance of client problem reports.

For details on software solutions, see Protocol Architecture, Software Architecture, Optional Protocol Support, and Optional Software Support.

Commodity Hardware

By best utilizing commodity PC or standardized CompactPCI hardware, OpenSS7 makes available the highest performance platforms available on the market at back-to-school prices. When carrier-grade is not essential, 3GHz Pentium class servers in hardened rack mount chassis can be used at a fraction of the cost, and yet outperform, other solutions. Where carrier-grade is necessary, embedded Linux on standardized CompactPCI NEBS compliant chassis make for a higher cost, but more reliable alternative.

For details on hardware solutions, see Platform Architecture, Hardware Architecture, and Optional Hardware Support.

Rapid Development

The OpenSS7 Project has already developed protocol components completing the SS7 and SIGTRAN signalling stacks including MTP Level 2 and Level 3, ISUP, SCCP, TCAP; and SCTP, M2PA, M2UA, M3UA, SUA and TUA. Development of an HLR to meet laboratory testing requirements needs only the development of an intermediate module for 3GPP TS 29.002 MAP and an rule-based, template driven database for HLR records.

For details on scheduling, see Logistics.

An Evolving Solution

The OpenSS7 Project is evolving to support more protocol stacks including ISDN and VoIP. Support for an ever expanding capability is demonstrated by the additional options available as described in Optional Application Support, Optional Network Support, Optional Protocol Support, Optional Software Support, and Optional Hardware Support.

Conclusions

In summary, a high-performance HLR for testing GPRS SGSN platforms in the laboratory is an excellent application of the OpenSS7 SS7 and SIGTRAN stacks and can be provided at a affordable price on short time-lines, while offering an evolution path for future test or deployment applications.

Brian Bidulock The OpenSS7 Project

Preface

Document Information

Abstract

This document provides a High-Level Design and Project Proposal for a High Performance HLR (Home Location Register) for 3GPP GSM/UMTS GPRS.

Objective

The objective of this document is to provide a High-Level Design and Project Proposal for the development of a low cost, high-performance, Home Location Register (HLR) for GSM/UMTS using OpenSS7 SS7 stack components, software, and compatible systems and hardware.

Intent

The intent of this document is to act as a High-Level Design and Proposal for an OpenSS7 project for a High Performance Home Location Register (HLR). As a High-Level Design and Proposal, this document discusses components and systems which are not necessarily complete. OpenSS7 Corporation is under no obligation to provide any software, system or feature listed herein.

Audience

This document is intended for a technical audience. The reader should be familiar with most ETSI and 3GPP specifications regarding GSM and UMTS. In addition, the reader should be familiar with ANSI-41 and North American Digital Cellular. Because much of the focus of a Home Location Register (HLR) is on SS7 signalling, the reader should also be familiar with ITU-T, ETSI and ANSI standards regarding Signalling System No. 7.

Revisions

Take care that you are working with a current version of this document: you will not be notified of updates. To ensure that you are working with a current version, contact the Author, or check The OpenSS7 Project website for a current version.

Version Control

$Log: hlr.texi,v $
Revision 1.1.2.4  2011-08-07 11:14:29  brian
- mostly mandriva and ubuntu build updates

Revision 1.1.2.3  2011-07-27 07:52:15  brian
- work to support Mageia/Mandriva compressed kernel modules and URPMI repo

Revision 1.1.2.2  2011-02-07 02:21:35  brian
- updated manuals

Revision 1.1.2.1  2009-06-21 10:46:24  brian
- added files to new distro

ISO 9000 Compliance

Only the TeX, texinfo, or roff source for this document is controlled. An opaque (printed or postscript) version of this document is an UNCONTROLLED VERSION.

Disclaimer

OpenSS7 Corporation disclaims all warranties with regard to this documentation including all implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, or title; that the contents of the document are suitable for any purpose, or that the implementation of such contents will not infringe on any third party patents, copyrights, trademarks or other rights.. In no event shall OpenSS7 Corporation be liable for any direct, indirect, special or consequential damages or any damages whatsoever resulting from loss of use, data or profits, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tortious action, arising out of or in connection with any use of this document or the performance or implementation of the contents thereof.

OpenSS7 Corporation reserves the right to revise this software and documentation for any reason, including but not limited to, conformity with standards promulgated by various agencies, utilization of advances in the state of the technical arts, or the reflection of changes in the design of any techniques, or procedures embodied, described, or referred to herein. OpenSS7 Corporation is under no obligation to provide any feature listed herein.

Document Organization

This document is organized as follows:

Introduction

Introduction to the High Performance HLR application.

Application Architecture

The application requirements and architecture.

Network Architecture

The network architecture for the application.

System Architecture

The architecture of the HLR system.

Platform Architecture

The architecture of the HLR platform.

Protocol Architecture

The protocol architecture supporting the application.

Software Architecture

The software architecture supporting the protocol stack and application.

Hardware Architecture

The hardware architecture supporting the protocol stack and application.

Logistics

Project logistics for completion of the HLR application.

Optional Application Support

Additional application support not directly contributing to the current objective.

Optional Network Support

Additional network interface support not directly contributing to the current objective.

Optional Protocol Support

Additional protocol component support not directly contributing to the current objective.

Optional Software Support

Additional software support not directly contributing to the current objective.

Optional Hardware Support

Additional hardware support not directly contributing to the current objective.

Programmatic Interfaces

Programmatic interfaces to selected protocol components.

Platform Sizing

Detailed platform sizing considerations.

Index

Index of concepts.

1 Introduction

This document provides a High-Level Design and Project Proposal for an OpenSS7 platform to provide high performance GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR capabilities. The primary driver for this High-Performance HLR to provide a system for load testing 3GPP GSM/UMTS GPRS platforms, particularly the SGSN. The document provides a high-level design and proposal for a production system to provide this capability.

The proposal utilizes, where possible, existing OpenSS7 SS7 and SIGTRAN stack components and provides a development plan for components that are specific to the High Performance 3GPP GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR requirements.

This document discusses the resulting software configuration that will be put in place on the production system, the platform configuration for the production system, and a lab network configuration for evaluation. Also discussed is an overview of the project management logistics for successful completion over the course of this development project.

It is intended that this document be a “living” document, that is updated over the course of this development project.

1.1 High Performance GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR

This project provides an High Performance GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR load testing platform that accepts and responds to high volume location update and authentication requests from SGSN (and GGSN) nodes over of the Gr (and Gc) interface.

1.2 Project Drivers

The lead purpose of the High Performance GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR is to provide a high-performance transaction engine to provide a GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR function for high-volume load testing of SGSN/VLR/GGSN equipment in client laboratories.

1.3 Scope

Because of its laboratory installation, initially the HLR platform is constructed using commodity computing platforms and PCI based hardware cards. This will initially result in a non-carrier grade system for low cost in the test lab environment. For production HLRs, carrier grade options are available but are not pursued until completion of the initial phases.

1.3.1 Phases

The longer term project is broken into the following phases:

Phase 1 ¹

The initial phase of the project is intended to provide the capabilities of a 3GPP GSM/UMTS HLR for GPRS operation.

Phase 2

The second phase of the project is intended to add the capabilities of M3UA/SCTP signalling bearer per 3GPP TS 29.202 and the C and D interfaces.

Phase 3

The third phase of the project is intended to provide the capabilities of a 3GPP GSM/UMTS HLR for CN (CS) operation.

Phase 4

The fourth phase of the project is intended to provide a complete 3GPP GSM/UMTS HLR.

Phase 5

The fifth phase of the project is intended to provide a complete NADC (ANSI-41) HLR.

Although some reference is made to capabilities supporting other phases, Phase 1 and Phase 2 are the focus of this document.

1.3.2 Gates

Each phase of the project consists of seven gates. The seven gates are defined as follows:

Gate 0 — Concept

Gate 0 is passed when the initial concept has been elucidated and work is begun on a High-Level Design. This is an internal OpenSS7 gate.

Gate 1 — High Level Design

Gate 1 is passed when the high-level design has been reviewed to the satisfaction of the consumers of the project. This is an external review gate. OpenSS7 internally passes this gate once the High-Level Design has been published and work is begun on a detailed design. ²

Gate 2 — Detailed Design

Gate 2 is passed when the detailed design has been reviewed to the satisfaction of the consumers of the project and the developers on the project. This is an external as well as an internal review gate. OpenSS7 passes this gate once the Detailed Design has been published and work base begin on development and implementation of the design. ³ Passing this gate moves from the design stage to the development stage of the project.

Gate 3 — Development and Implementation

Gate 3 is passed when the software and systems development and implementation to the detailed design is complete and testing has begun. This is an internal review gate. OpenSS7 internally passes this gate when software is code complete and hardware has been installed for testing.

Gate 4 — System Test

Gate 4 is passed once the product implementation meets all internal ad hoc and formal conformance test suites and internal testing is complete. This is an internal review gate. OpenSS7 passes this gate internally once conformance testing is complete. Passing this gate moves from the development stage to the support stage of the project.

Gate 5 — Acceptance Test

Gate 5 is passed once the product implementation has passed external Gamma client acceptance testing. This is an external review gate. OpenSS7 passes this gate internally once participation in external acceptance testing is complete.

Gate 6 — Project Complete

Gate 6 is passed once all support obligations for the product implementation have been discharged. This is an internal review gate. OpenSS7 passes this gate once support agreements have terminated.

For more details on Gate scheduling for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the HLR project, see Schedule.

2 Application Architecture

The High Performance HLR is intended to provide high performance and high density HLR services.

2.1 Application Requirements

The platform has the following application requirements:

2.1.1 Phase 1 Requirements

• Data sets from 1M to 15M subscribers (IMSI and profile)
• SS7 MTP (3GPP TS 29.202) signalling transport.
• 3GPP TS 24.060 procedures and 3GPP TS 29.002 MAP transactions.
• Scale to 248 SS7 (E1c) or 8 (E1 HSL) links in a single chassis.
• Non-redundant platform (able to sustain 72-hour test runs).
• No connection to EIR.
• No AuC (GSM triplets or UMTS quintets populated with static data for testing).
• Provides 3GPP Gr and Gc interfaces.

2.1.2 Phase 2 Requirements

• SIGTRAN M3UA (3GPP TS 29.202) signalling transport.
• Scale to 2 switched 100baseT NICs for M3UA.
• Provide GSM-C and GSM-D interfaces.

2.1.3 Phase 3 Requirements

• Full CS capabilities.

2.1.4 Phase 4 Requirements

• Integrated EIR.
• Integrated GSM and UMTS AuC.
• Carrier-Grade platform.

2.1.5 Phase 5 Requirements

• NADC ANSI-41 operation.

2.2 Solution Architecture

To meet client test objectives, two solution architectures are possible:

1. HLR Implementation for Testing

   In this arrangement, an stand-alone HLR is implemented to fit into the laboratory test environment. Other nodes in a GPRS network are emulated by other pieces of test equipment. This solution architecture is the focus of the current document and is described in HLR Implementation for Testing.

2. Ferry Clip Testing

   In this arrangement, the one test platform emulates all nodes in the GPRS network to perform full ferry-clip testing of the Implementation Under Test. This solution architecture would be a better arrangement for systematic testing with a single test harness and is described in Ferry Clip Testing. Development of such an arrangement is outside the scope of the current proposal.

2.2.1 HLR Implementation for Testing

The first possible test arrangement is the HLR Implementation arrangement. In this case, the OpenSS7 Test Platform behaves like the 3GPP GSM/UMTS HLR and the other components surrounding the SGSN must be provided by other equipment. To take this approach only the Gr and Gc interfaces need be implemented initially. The narrowband SS7 signalling bearer⁴ is used for Phase 1. The C and D interfaces are implemented in Phase 2 along with the 3GPP TS 29.202 M3UA/SCTP signalling bearer. This case is illustrated in Figure 1 below.

The High Performance GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR is built using the OpenSS7 SS7 and SIGTRAN stacks and associated utilities. This project provides an additional 3GPP TS 24.060 GPRS HLR STREAMS SS7 Stack component and 3GPP TS 29.002 Mobile Application Part (MAP) STREAMS SS7 Stack component that provides the core capabilities of the HLR.

This HLR capability consists of a number of components:

1. A kernel resident STREAMS module that sits above the OpenSS7 TCAP protocol component, accept TCAP queries and provide conversations and responses. This component contains the 3GPP TS 29.002 message encoder and decoders and mapping to and from the TC interface ⁵ primitives of the TCAP component below. This module implements a new GSM MAP primitive interface providing 3GPP TS 29.002 defined primitives. ⁶
2. A kernel resident STREAMS module that sits above the OpenSS7 MAP protocol component. This component exchanges 3GPP TS 29.002 MAP primitives with the module beneath and implements the 3GPP TS 24.060 Release 4 state machines for a GPRS HLR. This module also provides rule-based, template, and cached subscriber profile requests.
3. A user-space daemon that services cache miss IMSI profile requests against an external database.
4. User application programs used to configure and provision rules, templates and the external database.

The solution architecture reuses where possible OpenSS7 SS7 and SIGTRAN stack components, drivers and hardware. The solution starts as a hardened chassis non-redundant PC-based PCI platform. A carrier grade redundant and network protection switched CompactPCI NEBS chassis is made available in Phase 3.

2.3 Transaction Flows

This section provides some illustrative transaction flows.⁷

2.3.1 Attach Transaction Flow

Figure 3 below illustrates and example transaction flow between the test environment and the High-Performance HLR.

1. ‘Update Location’/‘Cancel Location’ - The SGSN receives an Attach from the MS and identifies the MS with the old SGSN (if any) and sends a MAP ‘Update Location’ request to the HLR. The HLR, upon receipt of the ‘Update Location’, looks up the IMSI of the mobile. If the IMSI exists and is currently located at an SGSN, the HLR sends a ‘Cancel Location’ message to the old SGSN. If the MS is not located at an existing SGSN (first attach), step (2) is skipped and an ‘Insert Subscriber Data’ message is sent from the HLR to the updating SGSN.

   The existing SGSN is determined by maintaining the SS7 point code of the SGSN at which the MS was last located and whether the MS is currently attached.

2. ‘Cancel Location Ack’/‘Insert Subscriber Data’ - Upon receiving a ‘Cancel Location Ack’ from the old SGSN, the HLR sends a ‘Insert Subscriber Data’ message to the updating SGSN.
3. ‘Insert Subscriber Data Ack’/‘Update Location Ack’ - Upon receiving a ‘Insert Subscriber Data Ack’, the HLR sends a ‘Update Location Ack’ to the updating SGSN.
4. ‘Update Location’/‘Cancel Location’ -
5. ‘Cancel Location Ack’/‘Insert Subscriber Data’ -
6. ‘Insert Subscriber Data Ack’/‘Update Location Ack’ -

2.3.2 Detach Transaction Flow

Figure 3b illustrates the the Detach transaction flow.

For the purpose of GPRS testing, the HLR is required to initiate this procedure.

2.3.3 Purge Transaction Flow

The Purge function allows an SGSN to inform the HLR that it has deleted the MM and PDP contexts of a detached MS. The SGSN may, as an implementation option, delete the MM and PDP contexts of an MS immediately after the implicit or explicit detach of the MS. Alternatively, the SGSN may keep for some time the MM and PDP contexts and the authentication triplets of the detached MS, so that the contexts can be reused at a later GPRS attach without accessing the HLR.

When the SGSN deletes the MM and PDP contexts, it shall initiate the Purge procedures.

2.3.4 Authentication Transaction Flow

Figure 4 illustrates the Authentication transaction flow.

For the purpose of GPRS testing, the HLR will respond to this procedure without accessing an AuC. GSM triplets and UTMS quintets will be set to a fixed value.

2.3.5 Insert Subscriber Data Transaction Flow

Figure 4b illustrates the Insert Subscribed Data transaction flow.

For the purpose of GPRS testing, the HLR is required to initiate this procedure for subscriber data modifications.

2.3.6 Delete Subscriber Data Transaction Flow

Figure 4c illustrates the Delete Subscribed Data transaction flow.

For the purpose of GPRS testing, the HLR is required to initiate this procedure for subscriber data deletions.

2.3.7 Mobile Terminated SM Transaction Flow

For the purpose of GPRS testing, the HLR is required to respond to this procedure for mobile terminated short messages.

3 Network Architecture

Figure 5 illustrates the network configuration for the High Performance GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR utilized as a Load Test System. The HLR device is positioned and attached to the SS7 network (PLMN) and IP network (GPRS).

The device is attached to the laboratory network via E400P-SS7 or other OpenSS7 SS7 link cards, ⁸ terminating SS7 A-links or F-links, either 31 channels per span, 64kbps Q.703 links, or full span Q.703 Annex B 2.048Mbps high-speed links, or via a signalling gateway device terminating SS7 Level 2, 3 or 4 and transporting M3UA back-haul signalling to the load device over SCTP.

On the GPRS network side of the device, the platform is connected on an internal LAN with multiple Ethernet segments and IP subnetworks through a Layer 2 switch to the signalling gateway and to the SGSN. MAP requests originating on SGSN within the SS7 or GPRS networks are accepted and responded to by the High Performance HLR application. Queries are responded to by rule for maximum performance and minimum latency for load testing. Either the SS7 network is configured to perform global title translations on the ISMI and select the High Performance GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR, or the prototype device is populated with the necessary global title information.

From the viewpoint of the SS7 or SIGTRAN network, the prototype acts as a Home Location Register (HLR) for the purposes of accepting location updates and authentication requests.

3.1 HLR Reference Interfaces

Figure 6 illustrates the HLR Reference Interfaces from 3GPP TS 24.060 Release 4.9.0 that are supported by the High Performance GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR.

3.1.1 C Interface

The C Interface is not used for GSM GPRS ⁹ but may optionally be used for combined RA and LA registration services for SMS under UMTS.¹⁰ It is a direct MAP interface between GMSC, IWMSC or SMSC and the HLR and consists of 3GPP TS 29.002 MAP over Q.771 TCAP over Q.711 SCCP. SCCP peer messages are carried either over Q.704 MTP or over RFC 3332 M3UA.

3.1.2 D Interface

The D Interface is not used for GSM GPRS ¹¹ but may optionally be used for combined RA and LA registration services for SMS under UMTS.¹² It is a direct MAP interface between MSC or VLR and the HLR and consists of 3GPP TS 29.002 MAP over Q.771 TCAP over Q.711 SCCP. SCCP peer messages are carried either over Q.704 MTP or over RFC 3332 M3UA.

3.1.3 Gr Interface

The Gr Interface connects the 3G SGSN to the HLR.

The Gr Interface is the primary GPRS interface. It is an interface between the SGSN and the HLR and consists of 3GPP TS 29.002 MAP over Q.771 TCAP over Q.711 SCCP. SCCP peer messages are carried either over Q.704 MTP or over RFC 3332 M3UA.

Mobile Application Part (MAP):-

This protocol supports signalling exchange with the HLR as defined in 3GPP TS 29.002, with the enhancements for GPRS as described in 3GPP TS 23.060.

TCAP and SCCP:-

These are the same protocols used to support MAP in CS PLMNs.

Signalling Bearer:-

The Signalling Bearer is one of the signalling bearers specified in 3GPP TS 29.202, which provides the signalling bearers illustrated in Figure 10 below.

The Gr Interface is the focus of Phase 1 of the HLR project.

3.1.4 Gc Interface

The Gc Interface connects the GGSN to the HLR.

The Gc Interface is an optional GPRS interface. ¹³ It is a direct MAP interface between the GGSN and the HLR and consists of 3GPP TS 29.002 MAP over Q.771 TCAP over Q.711 SCCP. SCCP peer messages are carried either over Q.704 MTP or over RFC 3332 M3UA. It is also possible for a GGSN to tunnel MAP messages over GTP into SS7 MAP via another GSN that is PSPDN connected.

Mobile Application Part (MAP):-

This protocol supports signalling exchange with the HLR, as described in "Network-Requested PDP Context Activation Procedure" of 3GPP TS 23.060.

GPRS Tunnelling Protocol for the control plane (GTP-C):-

This protocol tunnels signalling messages between the GGSN and the protocol-converting GSN in the backbone network.

Interworking:-

This function provides interworking between GTP and MAP for GGSN-HLR signalling.

3.1.5 Signalling Bearers

The signalling bearers that can be used to transport the C, D, or Gr Interface are described in 3GPP TS 29.202. Signalling bearers include M3UA over SCTP, traditional narrowband MTP including Q.703 and Q.703 Annex B, and broadband MTP (MTP3b) using SSCOP over AAL5 using an ATM or G.804 physical medium. Figure 10 illustrates the possible signalling bearers below.

Because broadband MTP has is not an initial requirement for the project, broadband MTP components is deferred to Phase 3 of the project. Narrowband MTP (including Q.703 Annex B) and M3UA/SCTP is configured in Phase 1.

3.1.6 Other Interfaces

Additional interfaces are implemented in other phases of the project. For additional information, see Optional Network Support.

4 System Architecture

This section details the solution system architecture. The solution system architecture consists of the computing platform and its placement within the locale installation environment.

The solution system has the following requirements:

• — 19" rack.
• — 110 VAC electrical power.
• — Commercial cooling.
• — Bantam to RJ-48c patch panel.

5 Platform Architecture

This section details the platform architecture. The solution platform architecture consists of the computing platform and associated hardware, interfaces and peripherals.

Figure 13 illustrates the solution platform rack configuration.

The solution platform consists of the following:

• — One hardened PC (5U) chassis per system.
• — One 10/100 Mbps (10/100baseT) RJ-45c Layer 2 Ethernet Switch.

5.1 Platform Capacity

The PC chassis is equipped with the following:¹⁴

• – 3GHz ix86 Pentium class Motherboard.
• – 66 MHz PCI 2.1 bus.
• – 2G DDR memory.
• – Ultra SCSI hard drive.
• – 3 x 100baseT Ethernet NICs.
• – 2 x A104c Quad E1 inteface cards.

6 Protocol Architecture

Figure 14 illustrates the protocol configuration for the High Performance GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR system. The protocol stack uses the following OpenSS7 stack components:

6.1 Protocol Components

The following Protocol Components are provided as part the OpenSS7 SS7 and SIGTRAN stacks:

6.1.1 High Performance HLR 3GPP TS 23.060 GPRS Application

The High Performance HLR 3GPP TS 23.060 Rel 4. GPRS Application is responsible for providing hybrid rule-based partitioning and HLR High Performance database information to the MAP 3GPP TS 29.002 HLR driver. This is a user-space application that provides user-interface for specification of database rules and records.

The High Performance GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR Application is made up from a User-space application combined with the OpenSS7 SS7 and SIGTRAN stacks. The High Performance GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR application communicates only with the top of the SS7 stack, that is, the MAP and SCCP-GTT modules.

The High Performance GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR Application is responsible for providing data configuration instructions to the MAP and GTT modules. MAP and GTT modules accept both rule based and indexed record entries for responding to transactions and translations; any transaction or translation which neither matches a rule nor matches an indexed entry results in a transaction or translation indication to the attached High Performance GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR Application.

This protocol component is developed as part of Phase 1 of this project.

6.1.2 High Performance HLR 3GPP TS 29.002 Mobile Application Part Application

The High Performance HLR 3GPP TS 29.002 Mobile Application Part Application is responsible for accepting location update and authentication requests from the back end AC gateway and turning those requests into GSM MAP queries to an Authentication centre and propagating the response. This is a straightforward application that converts between ONC RPC queries and responses and GSM MAP TCAP queues and responses using the published Transaction Component Interface (TCI).

The Mobile Application Part (MAP) Home Location Register (HLR) module is responsible for responding to MAP-HLR transactions originating from the TCAP module beneath (e.g. MapLocationUpdate) and is responsible for generating outgoing MAP-HLR transactions to the TCAP module beneath (e.g. MapInsertSubscriber). To perform its function, the MAP-HLR indexes all information based on the IMSI of the MS, including dynamic (state) and provisioned (subscriber) information. For performance in both a testing and production environment, the module provides three levels of database partitioning and caching:

Rules

Rules can be provided that is used to determine provisioned information based on components of the index (IMSI). These rules can be used to generate a rather large simulated database without maintaining or accessing large database record areas. The rule base provides a simulated partitioned database. Each rule refers to a template or partial template of provisioned data.

Templates

Templates can be provided that specify a profile of provisioned information for a class of indexes (IMSI). Templates provide a compact local in-kernel cache of templates. Indexes reference templates rather than complete records.

Records

Records can be provided that specify the provisioned information for the specific index (IMSI). Records provide a local in-kernel cache of specified records. Records are unique for each index.

Transactions

The application can be queried by indicating the index IMSI and the module awaits a response containing the provisioned information. Transactions provide access to an external database.

This protocol component is developed as part of Phase 1 of this project.

6.1.3 SS7 Stack Manager

The SS7 stack manager is responsible for configuration of the SS7 stack, maintenance, statistics collection, operational measurements, management events and controls, log and alarm generation. This is daemon process that is typically customized to meet a specific application.

This is an existing component of the OpenSS7 stack that is extended to include the HLR components developed above and the MAP component developed below.

6.1.4 MAP 3GPP TS 29.002 Mobile Application Part (MAP) Driver

The MAP 3GPP TS 29.002 Mobile Application Part (MAP) Driver is responsible for accepting location update and authentication requests from the TCAP or TUA streams linked below as well as performing any necessary Global Title Translations (GTT) for the SCCP GTT control streams linked below. The driver contains an in-kernel-memory HLR database. The in-memory database is hybrid rule-based an IMSI indexed record-based.

The MAP driver supports 3GPP TS 29.002 Release 4. This protocol component is developed as part of Phase 1 of this project.

6.1.5 Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) Driver

The transaction capabilities application part driver performs the essential transaction functions of the SS7 signalling stack. SCCP or SUA streams are linked under the driver and the driver provides the functions of a TCAP SSP or SCP, MSC or HLR, SMSC and other TCAP nodes. Transaction Capabilities Application Part streams bound to INAP, MAP or LNP TCAP-SAPs are accessed by the transaction application using the Transaction Component Interface (TCI).

The TCAP driver supports all CCITT/ITU-T versions (Blue Book forward), ETSI and ANSI versions (1992 forward), including operation classes 1 through 5. The TCAP driver provides a specialized TR and TC interface to its users and accepts an X/Open NPI Revision 2.0 interface from beneath. In addition, a TPI Revision 2.0 user interface supporting an X/Open XNS 5.2 mOSI XTI library interface is provided.

The TCAP driver is a STREAMS driver that runs in the Linux kernel for maximum performance. The primary scale limiting characteristic of the TCAP driver is the number of simultaneous open transactions. Each open transaction requires a number of timers, state information and dynamic transaction information such as addressing. Transaction Identifier indexed hash tables must be appropriately sized and the mean and maximum simultaneous open transactions should be known for proper sizing.

The Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) STREAMS module is responsible for providing TCAP services on top of a Signalling Connection Control Part (SCCP) or SCCP-User Adaptation Layer (SUA) stream. In addition, it is possible to use an ISO/OSI Network Service Provider to provide the network services to TCAP.

The OpenSS7 TCAP component has message encoding and decoding for ITU-T/ETSI Application Context TCAP and ANSI Private TCAP. Interfaces provided to TCAP users include an XTI/mOSI capable TPI Version 2.0 interface, a Transaction Interface (TRI) as described in ITU-T Q.791, and a Component Interface (TCI) as also described in ITU-T Q.791. The ITU-T Q.791 TR and TC interfaces are support Java JTCAP.

Of these interfaces, the Transaction Interface (TRI) and Component Interface (TCI) are most efficient. This is because it is not necessary to open a new stream for each transaction as is the case with the TPI interface and the XTI/mOSI.

The OpenSS7 TCAP module supports all Operations Classes.

A SIGTRAN TCAP-User Adaptation Layer (TUA) or OpenSS7 STREAMS over SCTP multiplexing driver can be used between the TCAP and the TCAP-User to export the TCAP/TCAP-User interface between a provider and user host.

Signalling Connection Control Part (SCCP) streams are linked beneath the TCAP module to provide SCCP services to TCAP. Alternately, a SIGTRAN SCCP-User Adaptation Layer (SUA) or OpenSS7 STREAMS over SCTP stream may be linked.

The OpenSS7 TCAP module contains all the necessary state machines, timers, transaction error handling and component error handling as required by the ITU-T, ETSI and ANSI specifications.

This is an existing OpenSS7 SS7 stack component; for documentation, see: tcap(4). Phase 1 activities for TCAP include integration testing with the MAP and HLR components.

6.1.6 Signalling Connection Control Part (SCCP) Driver

The signalling connection control part driver performs the essential transport functions of the SS7 signalling stack. Message Transfer Part or MTP3 User Adaptation Layer streams are linked under the driver and the driver provides the functions of a SCCP endpoint or relay with full global title translations. Signalling Connection Control Part streams bound to TCAP SCCP-SAPs are linked under the TCAP driver to form a complete SS7 stack in support of call transactions.

The SCCP driver supports all CCITT/ITU-T versions (Blue Book forward), ETSI and ANSI versions (1992 forward), including both connectionless and connection-oriented protocol classes 0 through 3. The SCCP driver provides an extended NPI Revision 2.0 interface to its users and accepts an NPI Version 2.0 (Connectionless) MTP interface from beneath or a specialized OpenSS7 MTPI interface. In addition, a TPI Revision 2.0 user interface supporting an X/Open XNS 5.2 XTI library interface is provided.

The SCCP driver also provide GTT streams for servicing Global Title Translations requests. These streams can be used by a user-space program for servicing GTT requests from a local or remote database, or can have specialized STREAMS modules pushed to perform rule-based GTT in the operating system kernel.

The SCCP driver is a STREAMS driver that runs in the Linux kernel for maximum performance.

The Signalling Connection Control Part (SCCP) STREAMS module is responsible for providing SCCP services on top of a Message Transfer Part (MTP) Level 3 (MTP3) or MTP3-User Adaptation Layer (M3UA) stream. In addition, it is possible to use an ISO/OSI connectionless Network Service Provider to provide the network services to SCCP.

The OpenSS7 SCCP component has message encoding and decoding for ITU-T/ETSI and ANSI SCCP. Interfaces provided to SCCP users include an XTI/OSI capable TPI Revision 2.0 interface, an NPI Revision 2.0 interface, and an SCCP-specific interface.

The OpenSS7 SCCP module supports all Protocol Classes.

This is an existing OpenSS7 SS7 stack component; for documentation, see: sccp(4). Phase 1 activities for SCCP include integration testing with the MAP and HLR components.

6.1.6.1 Global Title Translations (GTT)

The Signalling Connection Control Part (SCCP) Global Title Translations (GTT) module is responsible for responding to SCCP-GTT translations originating from the SCCP module beneath and is responsible for generating outgoing SCCP-GTT translations to the SCCP module beneath. To perform its function, the SCCP-GTT indexes all information based on the SCCP Address, including dynamic (state) and provisioned (result) information. For performance in both a testing and production environment, the module provides three levels of database partitioning and caching:

Rules

Rules can be provided that are used to determine provisioned information based on components of the index (GT). These rules can be used to generate a rather large simulated database without maintaining or accessing large database record areas. The rule base provides a simulated partitioned database. Each rule refers to a template or partial template of provisioned data.

Templates

Templates can be provided that specify a profile of provisioned information for a class of indexes (GT). Templates provide a compact local in-kernel cache of templates. Indexes reference templates rather than complete records.

Records

Records can be provided that specify the provisioned information for the specific index (GT). Records provide a local in-kernel cache of specified records. Records are unique for each index.

Translations

The application can be queried by indicating the index (GT) and the module awaits a response containing the provisioned information. Translations provide access to an external database or algorithm.

For the High Performance GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR application, messages can be routed on Translation Type or on the basis of the Subsystem Number alone, resulting in a simple rule provided to the SCCP-GTT. If the High Performance GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR application is not expected to perform in any other role, the High Performance GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR application can bind as the "Default Destination" for all SCCP Unitdata messages, obviating the need for GTT.

This is an existing OpenSS7 SS7 stack component; for documentation, see: sccp(4). Phase 1 activities for SCCP include integration testing with the MAP and HLR components.

6.1.7 Message Transfer Part (MTP) Driver

The message transfer part driver performs the essential network functions of the SS7 signalling stack. M2UA streams (see below) may be linked under the driver and the driver provides the functions of a Signalling End Point (SEP) or Signalling Transfer Point (STP). ¹⁵

The MTP driver supports all CCITT/ITU-T versions (Blue Book forward), ETSI and ANSI versions (1992 forward), including full transfer function. The MTP driver provides a specialized MTP interface to its users, in addition to an NPI Revision 2.0 connectionless interface. A TPI Revision 2.0 (connectionless) user interface support X/Open XNS 5.2 XTI library functions is also provided.

The MTP driver is a STREAMS driver that runs in the Linux kernel for maximum performance.

The Message Transfer Part (MTP) Level 3 (MTP3) module is responsible for providing MTP services to its users.

The Message Transfer Part (MTP) Level 2 (MTP2) module is responsible for providing MTP services to its users.

These are an existing OpenSS7 SS7 stack components; for documentation, see: mtp(4). Phase 1 activities for MTP3 and MTP2 include integration testing with the MAP and HLR components.

6.1.8 MTP Level 3 User Adaptation Layer (M3UA) Driver

The M3UA driver provides the HLR with the ability to act as an M3UA AS (Application Server) in conjunction with an M3UA SG (Signalling Gateway). In this project, the SG function is performed by existing lab equipment. The M3UA driver accepts the transport of the MTP to MTP-User interface from the SG to the HLR. The M3UA driver links SCTP driver streams underneath it to provide the transport services for exporting the MTP-User interface. The M3UA driver provides the same interface to its users as the OpenSS7 MTP.

The M3UA driver is a STREAMS driver that runs in the Linux kernel for maximum performance.

This is an existing OpenSS7 SIGTRAN stack component; for documentation, see: m3ua(4). Phase 1 activities for M3UA include integration testing with the MAP and HLR components.

6.1.9 Signalling Link (SL) Module

The signalling link module performs HDLC and SS7 Message Transfer Part Level 2 (Link) functions on a raw communications channel, such as that provided by the X400P-SS7 driver and the E400P-SS7 card. This module converts between the channel media stream (raw octet stream) and an SS7 signalling link signalling stream. These streams comprise SS7 signalling links and are linked under the MTP driver.

The SL module supports CCITT/ITU-T versions (Blue Book forward), ETSI and ANSI versions (1992 forward), including Q.703 and Q.703 Annex B (HSL) operation. TTC JQ.703 (1994) is also supported. The SL module provides a specialized SL interface to its users, in addition to an NCR Comten CDI Revision 2.0 Style 2 connectionless interface.

The SL module is a STREAMS module that runs in the Linux kernel for maximum performance.

The Signalling Link (SL) module is responsible for providing SL services to its users.

This is an existing OpenSS7 SS7 stack component; for documentation, see: sl(4). Phase 1 activities for MTP2 include integration testing with the MAP and HLR components.

6.1.10 Signalling Data Terminal (SDT) Module

The signalling data terminal module performs HDLC and lower level SS7 Message Transfer Part Level 2 (Link) functions including DAEDR, DAEDT, AERM, SUERM and SU Compression/Repetition on a raw communications channel or span, such as that provided by OpenSS7 Channel Drivers. This module converts between the raw channel media stream (raw octet stream) and an SS7 signalling data terminal stream. These streams comprise SS7 signalling data terminals and are pushed beneath the SL module.

The SDT module supports CCITT/ITU-T version (Blue Book forward), ETSI and ANSI versions (1992 forward), including Q.703 and Q.703 Annex B (HSL) operation. TTC JQ.703 (1994) is also supported. The SDT module provides a specialized SDT interface to its users, in addition to an NCR Comten CDI Revision 2.0 Style 2 connectionless interface.

The Signalling Data Terminal (SDT) module is responsible for providing SDT services to its users.

This is an existing OpenSS7 SS7 stack component; for documentation, see: sdt(4). Phase 1 activities for MTP2 include integration testing with the MAP and HLR components.

6.1.11 Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) Driver

OpenSS7 has two implementations (STREAMS and Linux Sockets) that provide support for this new transport protocol and provide transport for SIGTRAN and other protocols. The STREAMS SCTP implementation provides an NPI Revision 2.0 and TPI Revision 2.0 interface to its users. Also supported is an X/Open XNS 5.2 XTI library. The Linux Native SCTP implementation provides a Sockets interface.

This is an existing OpenSS7 SIGTRAN stack component; for documentation, see: sctp(4). Phase 1 activities for SCTP include integration testing with the MAP and HLR components.

7 Software Architecture

This chapter details the software configuration of OpenSS7 solutions. Open SS7 stack software is based on the STREAMS facility running on the Linux Operating System. The provides for use of the Linux Operating System while maintaining portability and consistency with major UNIX operating systems that provide an SVR 4.2 ES/MP STREAMS facility.

7.1 Linux Operating System

The OpenSS7 STREAMS releases and stacks currently support the 2.4, 2.6 and 3.x Linux Kernel. A Linux kernel version greater than or equal to 2.4.18 is recommended for 2.4 kernels. The Linux 2.5 series kernels are not supported. A Linux kernel version greater than or equal to 2.6.9 is recommended for 2.6 kernels. Any kernel beginning with 3.0 in the 3.x kernel series is acceptable. Linux 2.4, 2.6 and 3.x kernels released by popular distributions are supported. These include kernel.org releases, RedHat (7.2, 9, EL3, AS/EL4, EL5, EL6), WhiteBox (EL3, EL4), Fedora Core (FC1-FC15), Debian (Woody-Wheezy), Ubuntu (6.10-11.04), SuSE (8.2-12.4 OSS, 9.0-12.1 SLES), CentOS(4, 5 and 6), Lineox (4 and 5), Scientific (5 and 6), PUIAS (5 and 6), Oracle (5 and 6). Currently our preferred distribution is CentOS 5 with all updates applied.

Although OpenSS7 STREAMS SS7 and SIGTRAN stacks are tested primarily on ix86 hardware, the stacks compile and install on PPC (MPC 8260, Freescale 440), HPPA, and other processor architectures supported by the Linux 2.4, 2.6 and 3.x kernels.

For the current project, RedHat AS/EL5 or CentOS 5 is recommended.

7.2 STREAMS Facility

OpenSS7 STREAMS SS7 and SIGTRAN stacks utilize an SVR 4.2 ES/MP STREAMS facility.

7.3 OpenSS7 SS7 and SIGTRAN Stack

The OpenSS7 SS7 and SIGTRAN stacks are implemented using the STREAMS facility. Protocol modules within the stack are implemented as STREAMS modules, device drivers, multiplexing drivers and pseudo-device drivers. The STREAMS facility has the ability to stack modules and multiplexing drivers above a real or pseudo-device driver using STREAMS I_PUSH and I_LINK facilities. As STEAMS modules (and drivers) run within the context of the Operating System Kernel using message-based scheduling, greatly increased performance is experienced over equivalent user-space applications. STREAMS modules and drivers communicate by passing STREAMS message blocks upstream and downstream with bidirectional queueing and 256 levels of priority. In addition, STREAMS provides memory management, timer, locking, synchronization, flow control and other facilities commonly used by protocol modules.

Each OpenSS7 protocol module provides standardized X/Open ISO/OSI interfaces as well as more SS7 specialized interfaces. Many of the OpenSS7 protocols modules provide TPI Revision 2.0 interfaces with support for the OpenSS7 XTI/TLI Library.

Figure 22 illustrates the organization of STREAMS modules, multiplexing drivers, pseudo-device drivers and real device drivers in the OpenSS7 SS7 stack. At each interface, the equivalent SIGTRAN User Adaptation Layer (UA) can be used. So, for example, between MTP Level 3 and its Users, the M3UA protocol can be employed. Each UA provides the same lower layer interface and upper layer interface. So, M3UA provides an MTP/MTP-User interface at its lower layer interface as well as at its upper layer interface.

8 Hardware Architecture

Figure 23 illustrates the hardware configuration for the High Performance GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR evaluation platform.

The High Performance GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR prototype platform consists of a medium end ix86 single processor PC in a hardened 19" rack mount chassis, loaded with WBEL3 Linux running a 2.4.21 kernel, openss7-1.1.7.20141001, the OpenSS7 stack (strss7-0.9.2-1) software and the High Performance GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR application.

SS7 or SIGTRAN signalling links are terminated either on E400P-SS7 cards (or other OpenSS7 compatible E1 cards) directly attached to the test platform, or via Signalling Gateway devices back-hauling M2UA, M3UA or SUA to the test platform over an internal LAN connection.

OAM&P of the prototype platform is performed over an internal LAN connection.

Hardware requirements are as follows:

• 1 x medium end (2.0 GHz) single processor, 19" rack mount, hardened chassis PC, 110 VAC commercial power.
• 2 x E400-SS7 Cards (or equivalent).
• 4 x 100baseT Ethernet NICs (3com 905B or equivalent).

For a redundant configuration (two hosts serving the same gateway), twice the hardware is required.

8.1 Interface Devices

The interface device hardware cards listed below are supported for the OpenSS7 Platform. All of the interface device hardware listed here has good price-performance, however, varying levels of performance (and therefore price) is available. These cards are available either directly from the card manufacturer or are also resold by OpenSS7 Corporation.

For the High Performance GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR application, The A104c 384 cards are recommended.

The following interface device hardware is available for the OpenSS7 Platform:

8.1.1 T400P/E400P-SS7

The T400P-SS7 and E400P-SS7 cards are 4-span T1 or E1 cards manufactured by Varion. These cards were previously manufactured by Digium. Figure 24 shows a picture of a T400P-SS7 card.

The T400P-SS7 and E400P-SS7 cards have the lowest level of signalling performance due to the lack of on-board HDLC functions. Transfers to the host processor over the PCI bus use PCI I/O ports and memory mapping.

Driver

These cards are supported by the X400-SS7 driver.

The function of the T/E400P-SS7 Channel driver is to provide for the termination of 2.048Mbps, 1.544Mbps, 64kbps and 56kbps digital paths. This driver provides direct access to the channelized or unchannelized T1 or E1 digital paths to OpenSS7 media and signalling protocol modules as well as providing T1 or E1 management, framing, coding, alarms, and synchronization.

Features

Following are the features of the T400P-SS7 and E400P-SS7 cards:

• 4 T1 or E1 spans per card.
• Dallas framer.
• PLX PCI 9030 PCI bus chip.
• Xilinx Spartan XC2S50 processor.
• Raw transfer of octets from framers to PCI bus.
• Uses OpenSS7 Soft-HDLC engine for SS7, ISDN and ISO.
• 96 channels per card (T400P-SS7)
• 124 channels per card (E400P-SS7).
• Full span addressable.

Advantages

Following are the advantages of the T400P-SS7 and E400P-SS7 cards:

• Low cost.
• PC Compatibility.
• Released by Jim Dixon under the GNU Public License.
• Open Hardware design: schematics, artwork and Gerber plots available.
• Flash programmable Xilinx chip.
• Field upgradable.
• Supports a number of Open Source drivers.
• Asterisk driver support.

Disadvantages

Following are the disadvantages of the T400P-SS7 and E400P-SS7 cards:

• Lower performance.
• No on-board HLDC.
• Cannot TDM switch on card or between cards, media channels must be transferred through host to switch between cards.
• I/O Port and Memory Map instead of PCI DMA bus-mastering and burst transfers.
• Does not run on high speed buses.
• No integrated Ethernet for SIGTRAN and VoIP applications.
• Synchronization per-card instead of per-system.

Ultimately, the performance limiting factor of the T400P-SS7 and E400P-SS7 cards is the bandwidth of the PCI bus and the ability of the processor to perform Soft-HDLC and TDM switching in software. A 350MHz processor is capable of processing the bandwidth of an entire E400P-SS7 card (124 signalling links) with a combined link throughput of 8.192 Mbps.

For the High Performance GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR, this performance is more than adequate. A medium grade 2GHz PC should be capable of handling 2 cards (248 SS7 links) with adequate excess capacity available for background operations.

These cards are very cost-effective and can provide 64kbps SS7 links at average incremental interface cost of approximately $8.00 USD per signalling link.

8.1.2 TE405/410-SS7

The TE405/410-SS7 cards are 4-span E1/T1 cards manufactured by Digium. These cards are a higher performance replacement for the T400P-SS7 and E400P-SS7 cards. Figure 25 shows a picture of a T405P-SS7 card.

The TE405-SS7 and TE410-SS7 cards have a low level of signalling performance due to the lack of on-board HDLC functions. However, transfers to the host process over the PCI bus use bus-mastering PCI burst DMA transfers, unlike their T400P and E400P predecessors.

Driver

These cards are supported by the TE400-SS7 driver.

The function of the TE405/410-SS7 Channel driver is to provide for the termination of 2.048Mbps, 1.544Mbps, 64kbps and 56kbps digital paths. This driver provides direct access to the channelized or unchannelized T1 or E1 digital paths to OpenSS7 media and signalling protocol modules as well as providing T1 or E1 management, framing, coding, alarms, and synchronization.

Features

Following are the features of the TE405-SS7 and TE410-SS7 cards:

• 4 T1 or E1 spans per card.
• PMC Sierra framer
• PLX PCI 9030 PCI bus chip.
• Xilinx Spartan XC2S50 processor.
• Raw transfer of octets from framers to PCI bus.
• Uses OpenSS7 Soft-HDLC engine for SS7, ISDN and ISO.
• 96 channels per card (T1).
• 124 channels per card (E1).
• Full span addressable.

Advantages

Following are the advantages of the TE405-SS7 and TE410-SS7 cards:

• Lower cost.
• PCI DMA bus-mastering and burst transfers.
• Flash programmable Xilinx chip.
• Field upgradable.
• Supports a number of Open Source drivers.
• Asterisk driver support.

Disadvantages

Following are the disadvantages of the TE405-SS7 and TE410-SS7 cards:

• Lower performance, although better than predecessor.
• No on-board HLDC.
• Cannot TDM switch on card or between cards, media channels must be transferred through host to switch between cards.
• No integrated Ethernet for SIGTRAN and VoIP applications.
• Synchronization per-card instead of per-system.

As with their predecessors, the performance limiting factor of the TE405-SS7 and TE410-SS7 cards is the bandwidth of the PCI bus and the ability of the processor to perform Soft-HDLC and TDM switching in software. A 350MHz processor is capable of processing the bandwidth of an entire TE405-SS7 card (124 signalling link) with a combined linke throughput of 8.192 Mbps.

For the High Performance GSM/UMTS HLR, this performance is more than adequate. A medium grade 2GHz PC should be capable of handling 2 cards (248 SS7 links) with adequate excess capacity available for background operations.

These cards are cost-effective and can provide 64kbps SS7 links at average incremental interface cost of approximately $12.00 USD per signalling link.

8.1.3 A101/102/104c

The A101/102/104c cards are 1-, 2- and 4-span E1, T1 or J1 cards manufactured by Sangoma. Figure 26 shows a picture of an A101c card.

The A10Xc cards have an increased level of signalling performance due to availability of on-board HDLC processing. Transfers to the host are performed using bus-mastering PCI DMA burst transfers for lower host processor overhead. These cards do not support direct on-board TDM switching; neither do they have integrated Ethernet.

Driver

These cards are supported by the A100-SS7 driver.

The function of the A100-SS7 Channel driver is to provide for the termination of 2.048Mbps, 1.544Mbps, 64kbps and 56kbps digital paths. This driver provides direct access to the channelized or unchannelized T1 or E1 digital paths to OpenSS7 media and signalling protocol modules as well as providing T1 or E1 management, framing, coding, alarms, and synchronization.

Features

Following are the features of the A101c, A102c and A104c cards:

• 1, 2 or 4 E1 spans per card.
• PMC Comet framer.
• Xilinx Spartan XC2S50 processor.
• Raw transfer of octets from framers to PCI bus.
• Can use OpenSS7 Soft-HDLC engines for SS7, ISDN and ISO.
• Also provides for onboard HLDC (SS7 DAEDR/DAEDT AERM/SUERM).
• 24, 48 and 96 channels per card (T1 A101, A102 and A104).
• 31, 62 and 124 channels per card (E1 A101, A102 and A104).
• Full span addressable.

Advantages

Following are the advantages of the A101, A102 and A104 cards:

• Low cost.
• PC Comaptibility.
• Homolgomation and world-wide support.
• Flash programmable Xilinx chip.
• Field upgradable.
• Supports a wide range of Open Source drivers.
• Linux kernel WAN support.
• Asterisk driver support.

Disadvantages

Following are the disadvantages of the A101, A102 and A104 cards:

• Cannot TDM switch on card or between cards, media channels must be transferred through host to switch between cards.
• No integrated Ethernet for SIGTRAN and VoIP applications.
• Synchronization per-card instead of per-system.

The performance limiting factor of the A101c, A102c and A104c cards is the bandwidth of the PCI bus and the ability of the processor to perform TDM switching is software.

For the High Performance GMS/UMTS GPRS HLR, this performance is more than adequate, particularly as TDM switching is not a requirement for this pure signalling application. Although these cards lack integrated Ethernet support, for the non-redundant HLR application, and where interworking between SIGTRAN and SS7 is not required, this is not a limitation.

These cards have excellent price-performance and can provide 64kbps SS7 links at average incremental interface cost of approximately $12.00 USD per signalling link.

8.1.4 Other Interface Cards

Additional interface cards could be implemented in other phases of the project. For additional information, see Optional Hardware Support.

9 Logistics

Following are estimates of hardware, software, consulting, schedule and costs:

9.1 Hardware

Prototype hardware sufficient for trial of all projects consists of the following:

• 2 x high-end (2.0 GHz) PCs
• 6 x NICs (3 for each PC)
• 4 x A104 Cards (2 for each PC)

9.1.1 Sizing Considerations

Sizing provided here is adequate to meet the scale requirements under System Architecture. For detail on sizing, see Platform Sizing.

9.2 Software

Prototype software sufficient for trial of all projects consists of the following:

• WhiteBox EL3 Linux distribution (or equivalent)
• Linux 2.4.21 kernel (GPL, download)
• Linux Fast-STREAMS (openss7-1.1.7.20141001 or equivalent, GPL download)
• OpenSS7 CVS access
• OpenSS7 components listed under project

9.3 Consulting

Consulting consists of the following:

• Completion of OpenSS7 components marked as "incomplete" under project description suitable for use for prototype.
• Development and documentation of "application" components under project descriptions.
• Loading and configuring software for evaluation platforms.
• Participating in evaluation testing.
• Answering questions and providing guidance to client staff on the use and testing of the evaluation platform.

9.4 Schedule

Below is an estimated schedule. The estimate considers that OpenSS7 staff would be performing all development work and that Gamma client or Sponsor would participate in external gate reviews and acceptance testing in a timely manner.

Table S-0 lists the initial (Gate 0) schedule estimates.

Table S-1 through Table S-8 list the current (Gate 1) schedule estimates. These are planning estimates only and no commitment is provided to deliver to any schedule until Gate 2 is complete.

9.4.1 Gate 0 — Concept

Gate 0 is passed when the initial concept has been elucidated and work is begun on a High-Level Design. This is an internal OpenSS7 gate. Table S-2 below lists the estimated schedule leading into Gate 0.

Gate 0 was completed for the project on September 24, 2004 with the creation of the Initial design document and internal OpenSS7 staff decision to move forward with a High-Level Design.

9.4.2 Gate 1 — High-Level Design

Gate 1 is passed when the high-level design has been reviewed to the satisfaction of the consumers of the project. This is an external review gate. OpenSS7 internally passes this gate once the High-Level Design has been published and work is begun on a detailed design. ¹⁶ Table S-3 below lists the estimated schedule leading into Gate 1.

This document completes the Gate 1 requirements October 20, 2004. We are currently awaiting external review of this document and proceeding on Detailed Design documentation.

9.4.3 Gate 2 — Detailed Design

Gate 2 is passed when the detailed design has been reviewed to the satisfaction of the consumers of the project and the developers on the project. This is an external as well as an internal review gate. OpenSS7 passes this gate once the Detailed Design has been published and work base begin on development and implementation of the design. ¹⁷ Passing this gate moves from the design stage to the development stage of the project. Table S-4 below lists the estimated schedule leading into Gate 2.

9.4.4 Gate 3 — Development and Implementation

Gate 3 is passed when the software and systems development and implementation to the detailed design is complete and testing has begun. This is an internal review gate. OpenSS7 internally passes this gate when software is code complete and hardware has been installed for testing. Table S-5 below lists the estimated schedule leading into Gate 3.

9.4.5 Gate 4 — System Test

Gate 4 is passed once the product implementation meets all internal ad hoc and formal conformance test suites and internal testing is complete. This is an internal review gate. OpenSS7 passes this gate internally once conformance testing is complete. Passing this gate moves from the development stage to the support stage of the project. Table S-6 below lists the estimated schedule leading into Gate 4.

9.4.6 Gate 5 — Acceptance Testing

Gate 5 is passed once the product implementation has passed external Gamma client acceptance testing. This is an external review gate. OpenSS7 passes this gate internally once participation in external acceptance testing is complete. Table S-7 below lists the estimated schedule leading into Gate 5.

9.4.7 Gate 6 — Support Complete

Gate 6 is passed once all support obligations for the product implementation have been discharged. This is an internal review gate. OpenSS7 passes this gate once support agreements have terminated. Table S-8 below lists the estimated schedule leading into Gate 6.

9.5 Cost

Table T-2 below provides a cost estimate. The estimate is in US Dollars and assumes that all Evaluation platform hardware would be provided by OpenSS7 and that all Signalling Gateway, STP and Cross-Connect hardware, Routers and LAN, and other sundry lab equipment be provided by the client. Development time is estimated at 100% effort per calendar week at our normal loaded rate. Shipping costs, training, training material and travel costs are not listed and would be billed separately.

Appendix A Optional Application Support

A.1 Other Solution Architecture

A.1.1 Ferry Clip Testing

The other possible test arrangement is the Ferry Clip arrangement. In this case, the OpenSS7 Test Platform behaves like the 3GPP GSM/UMTS network surrounding the SGSN Implementation Under Test. This is illustrated in Figure A-1 below.

Appendix B Optional Network Support

B.1 SGSN Reference Interfaces

Figure A-2 illustrates the SGSN Reference Interfaces from 3GPP TS 24.060 Release 5.9.0 that are supported by the High Performance GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR.

Iu Interface

This connects the 3G SGSN to a UTRAN.

Gb Interface

This connects the 2G SGSN to a BSS.

Gd Interface

This connects the 3G SGSN to a SMS-GMSC or SMS-IWMSC.

Ge Interface

This connects the 3G SGSN to a Camel GSM SCF.

Gn Interface

This connects the 3G SGSN to a (local) GGSN.

Gp Interface

This connects the 3G SGSN to a (foreign) GGSN.

Gs Interface

This connects the 3G SGSN to an MSC/VLR.

B.1.1 Iu Interface

The Iu interface connects the 3G SGSN to the UTRAN.

UMTS Mobility Management and Session Management (GMM/SM): GMM supports mobility management functionality such as attach, detach, security, and routing area update, as described in "Mobility Management Functionality". SM supports PDP context activation and PDP context deactivation, as described in "PDP Context Activation, Modification, Deactivation, and Preservation Functions" of TS 23.060.

SMS supports the mobile-originated and mobile-terminated short message service described in 3GPP TS 23.040.

Radio Access Network Application Protocol (RANAP): This protocol encapsulates and carries higher-layer signalling, handles signalling between the 3G-SGSN and UTRAN, and manages the GTP connections on the Iu interface. RANAP is specified in 3GPP TS 25.413. The layers below RANAP are defined in 3GPP TS 23.121.

Radio Link Control (RLC): The RLC protocol offers logical link control over the radio interface for the transmission of higher layer signalling messages and SMS. RLC is defined in 3GPP TS 25.322. RLC for GSM is described in GSM 04.60.

For transport of RANAP messages over Iu an SCCP protocol shall be used for both packet and circuit switche domains. The SCCP protocol shall fully comply with ITU-T White Book. RANAP protocol shall be designed to use this service according to the ITU-T standard. Iu shall be design so that RANAP is not impacted by alternatives for SCCP message transport on layers below SCCP.

In the circuit switched domain, SCCP message shall be transported on a broadband SS7 stack comprising MTP3b on top of SAAL-NNI. In this domain no other alternatives are standardized in release 99.

In the packet switched domain the UMTS standard shall allow operators to choose one our of two standardized protocol suites for transport of SCCP messages.

1. Broadband SS7 stack comprising MTP3b on top of SAAL-NNI.
2. IETF/Sigtran CTP protocol suite for MTP3 users with adaptation to SCCP. The protocol suite shall fully comply with IETF standards developed by the Sigtran working group. No UMTS specific adaptation shall be standardized below the SCCP protocol.

See aslo TS 29.202 which provides the following signalling bearers:

B.1.2 Gb Interface

The Gb interface connects the 2G SGSN to the BSS.

GPRS Mobility Management and Session Management (GMM/SM): This protocol supports mobility management functionality such as GPRS attach, GPRS detach, security, routing area update, location update, PDP context activation, and PDP context deactivation, as described in "Mobility Management Functionality" and "PDP Context Activation, Modification, Deactivation, and Preservation Functions" of TS 23.060.

Radio Link Control (RLC): The RLC protocol offers logical link control over the radio interface for the transmission of higher layer signalling messages and SMS. RLC is defined in 3GPP TS 25.322. RLC for GSM is described in GSM 04.60.

Logical Link Control (LLC):- LLC is defined in GSM 04.64.

BSS GPRS Protocol (BSSGP):- BSSGP is defined in GSM 08.18.

Network Service:- The Network Service is defined in GSM 08.16.

The Network Service consists of a network services protocol over a Frame Relay (FRF 1.1) Sub-Network Service Protocol.

L1 of the Gb interface is defined in GSM 08.14 and consists of one or more of the following FRF 1.1 supporting interfaces:

1. ANSI T1.403
2. V.35, physical circuit and DTE/DCE interface
3. G.703
4. G.704
5. X.21
6. ANSI-530-A-1992
7. HSSI

The Gb interface may be multiplexed with the A interface on the same E1 (2048 kbit/s), or T1 (1544 Kbit/s) digital path. In the case of E1 interface, CCITT Recommendation G.704 shall be applied and 3GPP TS 08.04 as appropriate, and in case of T1 interface ANSI Recommendation T1.403 shall be applied and 3GPP TS 08.04 as appropriate. In the case where multiple 64 kbit/s channels are used on an E1 (2048 kbit/s) digital patch on the Gb interface, it is recommended to aggregate them into one nx64 kbit/s channel, see CCITT Recommendation G.704, clause 5 and included sub-clauses. In case where multiple 64 kbit/s channels are used on a T1 (1544 kbit/s) digital path on the Gb interface, it is recommended to aggregate them into nx64kbit/s (where 2<=n<=24) channel, see Bellcore TR-NWT-1203. This approach optimizes the use of the available bandwidth by taking advantage of the statistical multiplexing at the upper layer. However, this approach requires that no slipping occurs between individual 64 kbit/s channels e.g. when passing through intermediate equipment between BSS and SGSN.

The physical channels on the Gb interface shall be permanently reserved by means of administrative procedures.

B.1.3 Gd Interface

The Gd interface connects the 3G SGSN to the SMS-GMSC or SMS-IWMSC.

Mobile Application Part (MAP):- This protocol supports signalling between SGSN and SMS-GMSC or SMS-IWMSC, as described in clause "Point-to-point Short Message Service" of 3GPP TS 23.060.

B.1.4 Ge Interface

The Ge interface connects the 3G SGSN to the Camel GSM SCF.

B.1.5 Gf Interface

The Gf interface connects the 2G SGSN to the EIR.

Mobile Application Part (MAP):- This protocol supports signalling between the SGSN and the EIR, as described in "Identify Check" of 3GPP TS 23.060.

B.1.6 Gn Interface

The Gn interface connects the 3G SGSN to the local GGSN.

GPRS Tunnelling Protocol for the control plane (GTP-C):- This protocol tunnels signalling messages between SGSNs and GGSNs (Gn), and between SGSNs in the backbone network (Gp).

User Datagram Protocol (UDP):- This protocol transfers signalling messages between GSNs. UDP is defined in RFC 768.

B.1.7 Gp Interface

The Gp interface connects the 3G SGSN to the foreign GGSN.

GPRS Tunnelling Protocol for the control plane (GTP-C):- This protocol tunnels signalling messages between SGSNs and GGSNs (Gn), and between SGSNs in the backbone network (Gp).

User Datagram Protocol (UDP):- This protocol transfers signalling messages between GSNs. UDP is defined in RFC 768.

B.1.8 Gs Interface

The Gs interface connects the 3G SGSN to the MSC/VLR.

Base Station System Application Part + (BSSAP+):- A subset of BSSAP procedures supports signalling between the SGSN and MSC/VLR, as described in "Mobility Management Functionality" in 3GPP TS 23.060 and in 3GPP TS 29.018. The requirements for the lower layers are specified in 3GPP TS 29.016.

Additional information about supported signalling bearers is provided in 3GPP TS 29.202 as follows:

Appendix C Optional Protocol Support

C.1 Other Protocol Components

C.1.1 SCCP User Adaptation Layer (SUA) Driver

The SUA driver provides the HLR with the ability to act as an SUA AS (Application Server) in conjunction with an SUA SG (Signalling Gateway). In this project, the SG function is performed by existing lab equipment. The SUA driver accepts the transport of the SCCP to SCCP-User interface from the SG to the HLR. The SUA driver links SCTP driver streams underneath it to provide the transport services for exporting the SCCP-User interface. The SUA driver provides the same interfaces to its users as the OpenSS7 SCCP.

The SUA driver is a STREAMS driver that runs in the Linux kernel for maximum performance.

C.1.2 MTP Level 3 Broadband (MTP3b) Module

C.1.3 Service Specific Connection Oriented Protocol (SSCOP) Driver

C.1.4 MTP Level 2 User Adaptation Layer (M2UA) Driver

The M2UA driver provides the HLR with the ability to act as an M2UA AS (Application Server) in conjunction with an M2UA SG (Signalling Gateway). In this project, the SG function is performed by existing lab equipment. The M2UA driver accepts the transport of the SL to SL-User interface from the SG to the HLR. The M2UA driver links SCTP driver streams underneath it to provide the transport services for exporting the SL-User interface. The M2UA driver provides the same interface to its users as the OpenSS7 SL module.

Appendix D Optional Software Support

D.1 Operating System Options

OpenSS7 components and applications support the following additional Linux Distributions:

RedHat Linux 7.2 (rh7.2)

RedHat Linux 9 (rh9)

RedHat Linux EL3 (el3)

Fedora Core 1 (fc1)

Debian (Woody)

SuSE 8.0

D.2 STREAMS Options

D.2.1 Linux Fast-STREAMS (LfS)

Linux Fast-STREAMS (LfS) is a dual licensed original work of OpenSS7 Corporation. It was designed an implemented as a directly replacement for inferior implementations for use with OpenSS7 stack releases. This complete reimplementation of an SVR 4.2 ES/MP compatible STREAMS facility exhibits simplified debugging and management, greatly increased performance, smaller memory footprint, wider compatibility. Production releases with Linux Fast-STREAMS are currently available.

Appendix E Optional Hardware Support

E.1 Other Interface Devices

This section provides information on additional interface cards available for use with the OpenSS7 SS7, SIGTRAN, ISDN and VoIP stacks:

E.1.1 ACB56

The ACB56 cards are single V.35 56/64kbps synchronous cards manufactured by SeaLevel Systems and distributed by ICS. Figure A-13 shows a picture of an ACB56 card.

Driver

The driver for the ACB56 card provides, CH, SDL or SDT access to the card. The CH or SDL driver places the Zilog part into transparent mode and passes octets directly off the line to the channel or signalling data link driver. The SDT driver places the Zilog part into HDLC mode and performs SS7 HDLC using the Zilog SCC. The SDT driver performs better, of course, than the CH or SDL drivers, however, the Zilog SCC HDLC is incapable of performing some SS7 functions that are provided by the OpenSS7 SDT (SS7-HDLC) module for the CH or SDL drivers.

Features

Following are some features of the ACB56 card:

• 1 x V.35 56kbps or 64 kbps synchronous port on DB-25 connector.
• DB-25 to N-type cable available.
• 56 kbps or 64kbps DTE mode.
• 56 kbps DCE mode.
• Based on Zilog 80585 Serial Communications Controller (SCC).
• ISA Bus.
• Supports dual-channel ISA DMA.
• Also supports RS-232C although not useful for SS7.

Advantages

Following are the advantages of the ACB56 card:

• Provides V.35 interface where necessary.

The ACB56 card has few advantages. It only provides low-cost V.35 interface where absolutely necessary. Any other V.35 capable card might be a better choice.

Disadvantages

Following are the disadvantages of the ACB56 card:

• ISA bus.
• Low density.
• Limited number of cards per host due to ISA IRQ and DMA limitations.
• Needs external CSU/DSU.
• Does not support TDM voice channels.

Due to its disadvantages, another V.35 card (PCI based, higher density, integrated CSU/DSU) should be considered where V.35 interface is completely necessary.

The High Performance GSM/UMTS GPRS HLR does not have a requirement for V.35 interface and this card is not used on the deployment platform. If V.35 interface becomes a requirement at a later date, a different card will be selected. The selected card will have a higher density, PCI with PCI DMA and bus-mastering, integrated CSU/DSU, and other features absent from the ACB56 card.

E.1.2 PCA 200E

The PCA 200E card is a 155MHz ATM card manufactured by Marconi (formerly FORE). Figure A-16 shows a picture of an PCA 200E card.

The PCA 200E cards have a good level of signalling performance because they have an on-board 25MHz i960 Intel RISC processor performing cell processing using buffer rings in the same manner as an Ethernet controller.

Driver

Features

Following are the features of the PCA 200E cards:

• 155 MHz ATM, ST/SC SM/MM and RJ-45 UTP 5
• AAL1, AAL2, AAL3 and AAL5 modes.
• Integrated 25 MHz i960 RISC cell processor.
• Enhance SAR Processor (ESP) ASIC
• Special-purpose hardware for AAL5 and AAL3/4, HEC, and CRC calculations.
• Dual-ported RAM and Buffer Ring technique similar to Ethernet Controller.
• Serial communications emulation.
• Supports ABR
• ATM cell processing per ANSI T1S1.5/92-002R3, ITU I.361, ATM Form UNI v3.0, 3.1, 4.0

Advantages

Following are the advantages of the PCA 200E cards:

• Inexpensive (about $200 a card).
• Supports MTP3b.
• Can support 3GPP UMTS Iu User and Control Plane over PVCs.

Disadvantages

Following are the disadvantages of the PCA 200E cards:

• Does not support traditional SS7 links.
• Requires external ATM switch or point-to-point ATM connection.

E.1.3 BRI

A BRI card.

Driver

Features

Following are the features of the BRI cards:

Advantages

Following are the advantages of the BRI cards:

Disadvantages

Following are the disadvantages of the BRI cards:

Appendix F Programmatic Interfaces

To support a framework for providing transaction products in the UNIX system, an effort is underway to define service interfaces to map to strategic levels of the Signalling System Number 7 (SS7) model. These service interfaces hide implementation details of a particular service from the consumer of the service. This enables system programmers to develop software independent of the particular protocol that provides a specific service. The interfaces being specified for UNIX System V are defined within the STREAMS environment. This document specifies a kernel-level interface that supports the services of the Transaction Capabilities Application Part for Operation Class 1, 2, 3 and 4 services.

This specification applies to System V Release 4.2 ES/MP STREAMS.

F.1 Transaction Component Interface

The transaction component interface defines a message interface to a transaction provider implemented under STREAMS. ¹⁸ A user communicates to a transport provider via a full duplex path known as a stream (see Figure F-1). This stream provides a mechanism in which messages may be passed to the transaction provider from the transaction user and visa versa.

The STREAMS messages that are used to communicate transaction service primitives between the transaction user and the transaction provider may have one of the following formats:

1. A M_PROTO message block followed by zero or more M_DATA message blocks. The M_PROTO message block contains the type of transaction service primitive and all the relevant arguments associated with the primitive. The M_DATA blocks contain transaction user data associated with the transaction service primitive.

F.1.1 Common Transaction Primitives

The following transaction primitives are common to all operation classes:

F.1.1.1 User-Originated Primitives

The following describes the format of the transaction primitives which are generated by the transaction user.

TC_INFO_REQ - get transaction protocol parameter sizes

This primitive requests the transaction provider to return sizes of all relevant protocol parameters, plus the current state of the provider.¹⁹. The format of the message is one M_PCPROTO message block. The format of the M_PCPROTO message block is as follows:

struct TC_info_req {
        long PRIM_type;             /* always TC_INFO_REQ */
};

F.1.2 TCI Model

F.1.3 TC Interface Local Management Primitives

The following local management primitives provide local management functions within the STREAMS environment that are not standardized (implementation dependent). Some of the functions are informatively described in ITU-T Recommendation Q.771.

Local Management primitives:

TC_INFO_REQ, TC_INFO_ACK

Information request and acknowledgement. Returns the maximum dialogue SDU size for begin, continue and end, the interface SDU size, the maximum address size, maximum options size, service type, current state, provider flags and version.

TC_OPTMGMT_REQ, TC_OPTMGMT_ACK

Options management request and acknowledgement. Negotiates options according to management flags.

TC_BIND_REQ, TC_BIND_ACK

Bind to transport address request and acknowledgement. Contains the transport address for the bind and the maximum negotiated number of outstanding transactions.

TC_SUBS_BIND_REQ, TC_SUBS_BIND_ACK

Subsequent bind to transport address request and acknowledgement.

TC_SUBS_UNBIND_REQ

Subsequent unbind from transport address request.

TC_UNBIND_REQ

Unbind from transport address request.

TC_OK_ACK

Success acknowledgement. Returns the primitive that was successful.

TC_ERROR_ACK

Error acknowledgement. Returns the primitive that was unsuccessful, the error code (transport or UNIX), dialogue identifier and component identifier.

F.1.4 TC Interface Dialogue Handling Primitives

The following dialogue handling primitives correspond to the primitives described in ITU-T Recommendation Q.771.

Dialogue Handling primitives:

TC_UNI_REQ, TC_UNI_IND

Unidirectional dialogue request and indication. Includes the source transport address, the destination transport address, associated negotiated options, dialogue identifier and component flags.

TC_BEGIN_REQ, TC_BEGIN_IND, TC_BEGIN_RES, TC_BEGIN_CON

Begin dialogue request, indication, response and confirmation. Includes the source transport address, the destination transport address, associated negotiated options, dialogue identifier and component flags.

TC_CONT_REQ, TC_CONT_IND

Continue dialogue request and indication. Includes the associated negotiated options, dialogue identifier and component flags.

TC_END_REQ, TC_END_IND

End dialogue request and indication. Includes the associated options, dialogue identifier, component flags and termination scenario.

TC_ABORT_REQ, TC_ABORT_IND

Abort dialogue request and indication. Includes the associated negotiated options, dialogue identifier, abort reason and originator.

TC_NOTICE_IND

Notice indication. Includes the report cause.

F.1.5 TC Interface Component Handling Primitives

The following component handling primitives correspond to the primitives described in ITU-T Recommendation Q.771.

Component Handling primitives:

TC_INVOKE_REQ, TC_INVOKE_IND

Invoke operation request and indication. Includes the dialogue identifier, application protocol class, invoke identifier, linked invoke identifier, invoke operation, segmentation flag, and requested timeout.

TC_RESULT_REQ, TC_RESULT_IND

Return result to operation request and indication. Includes the dialogue identifier, invoke identifier, invoke operation, and segmentation flag.

TC_ERROR_REQ, TC_ERROR_IND

Error of operation request and indication. Includes the dialogue identifier, invoke identifier, error code and segmentation flag.

TC_REJECT_REQ, TC_REJECT_IND

Reject operation request and indication. Includes the dialogue identifier, invoke identifier, originator, and problem code.

TC_CANCEL_REQ, TC_CANCEL_IND

Cancel component request and indication. Includes the dialogue identifier and invoke identifier.

F.2 Mobile Application Part Interface

F.2.1 MAP Interface Common Primitives

For a mapping of Common MAP primitives onto TC primitives, see 3GPP TS 29.002 Table 7.5/1 and Table 7.5/2.

MAP_OPEN_REQ, MAP_OPEN_IND, MAP_OPEN_RES, MAP_OPEN_CON

Opens a MAP dialogue. Contains application context name, destination address and reference; originating address and reference; specific information, responding address, result, refusal-reason, provider error.

MAP_DELIMITER

Delimits a sequence of components in a MAP dialogue.

MAP_CLOSE_REQ, MAP_CLOSE_IND

Closes a MAP dialogue. Contains release method and specific information.

MAP_ABORT_REQ, MAP_ABORT_IND

Aborts a MAP dialogue. Include user reason, diagnostic information and specific information; or, provider reason and source.

MAP_NOTICE

Protocol problem notice. Includes the problem diagnostic.

MAP_SXPORT_REQ, MAP_SXPORT_IND, MAP_SXPORT_RES, MAP_SXPORT_CON

MAP secure transport. Includes operation class, security header, protected payload, user error or provider error.

F.2.2 MAP Interface User-Specific Primitives

For a mapping of User-Specific primitives onto TC primitives, see 3GPP TS 29.002 Table 7.5/3 and Table 7.5/4.

Appendix G Platform Sizing

Table T-1 below provides a traffic model for sizing the HLR application.

G.1 HLR Sizing

Phase 1 imposes HLR sizing requirements as follows:

• — Number of Subscriber Records

  To support the HLR application, the number of subscriber records supported is 15 million.

• — Number of Subscriber Templates

  To support the HLR application, subscriber templates will be used where possible. There is no hard limit on the number of subscriber templates (up to the number of subscriber records). The expected number of subscriber templates provided is 1024.

• — Amount of Physical Memory

  To support in-core access to the entire subscriber database, 2 Gbytes of physical memory is provided.

• — Event Rate

  From Table T-1 with 15 million subscribers, the event rate provided is 3855 events per second. The in-core database will provide a transaction rate of 4000 transactions per second.

Phase 2 does not add any additional HLR sizing requirements.

G.2 MAP/TCAP Sizing

Phase 1 imposes MAP/TCAP sizing requirements as follows:

• — Transaction Rate

  From Table T-1 with 15 million subscribers, the MAP/TCAP transaction rate provided is 10,000 MAP/TCAP transactions per second.

• — Number of Simultaneous open Transactions

  Although the OpenSS7 TCAP component does not have a hard limit on the number of open TCP transactions, the component can be optimized for an expected maximum number of open transactions. To meet the expected transaction rate and MAP loading, the TCAP component is optimized for a maximum of 4096 open transactions. If open transactions exceed 4096, performance is degraded. Open transactions fewer than 4096 wil have no impact on the platform.

G.3 SCCP Sizing

Phase 1 imposes SCCP sizing requirements as follows:

• — Number of Protocol Variants

  The OpenSS7 SCCP component provides simultaneous support for ITU-T, ETSI and ANSI protocol variants in a single protocol module. To support the Phase 1 HLR application, three protocol variants will be provided:

  1. ITU-T SCCP Q.713 1988/93
  2. ETSI SCCP Q.713 1988/93
  3. ANSI T1.112/1996
• — SCCP Routing

  Although the OpenSS7 SCCP component supports a wide range of routing, including local GTT, to meet the HLR application requirements, routing will be performed on PC only.

• — Number of Local Subsystems

  Although there is no hard limit on the number of local subsystems that can be supported by the OpenSS7 SCCP protocol component, to support the HLR application, two local subsystems are provided:

  1. One HLR subsystem is provided associated with an ITU-T/ETSI point code in the ITU-T/ETSI domain.
  2. Another HLR subsystem is provided associated with an ANSI point code in the ANSI domain.
• — Number of Remote Signalling Points

  Although there is no hard limit on the number of remote signalling points that can be supported by the OpenSS7 SCCP protocol component, to support the HLR application, six (6) remote signalling points are provided:

  1. One (1) remote signalling point codes for one SGSN in the ITU-T/ETSI domain.
  2. One (1) remote signalling point codes for one SGSN in the ANSI domain.
  3. One (1) remote signalling point codes for another SGSN in the ITU-T/ETSI domain.
  4. One (1) remote signalling point codes for another SGSN in the ANSI domain.
  5. One (1) remote signalling point codes for a SMS-IWMSC/GMSC platform in the ITU-T/ETSI domain.
  6. One (1) remote signalling point codes for a SMS-IWMSC/GMSC platform in the ANSI domain.
• — Number of Remote Subsystems

  Although there is no hard limit on the number of remote subsystems that can be supported by the OpenSS7 SCCP protocol component, to support the HLR application, six (6) remote subsystems are provided:

  1. One (1) remote SGSN subsystems for one SGSN in the ITU-T/ETSI domain.
  2. One (1) remote SGSN subsystems for one SGSN in the ANSI domain.
  3. One (1) remote SGSN subsystems for another SGSN in the ITU-T/ETSI domain.
  4. One (1) remote SGSN subsystems for another SGSN in the ANSI domain.
  5. One (1) remote MSC subsystems for a SMS-IWMSC/GMSC platform in the ITU-T/ETSI domain.
  6. One (1) remote MSC subsystems for a SMS-IWMSC/GMSC platform in the ANSI domain.

Phase 2 does not add any additional MAP/TCAP sizing requirements.

G.4 MTP Sizing

Phase 1 imposes MTP Level 3 sizing requirements as follows:

• — Number of Protocol Variants

  The OpenSS7 MTP component provides simutaneous support for ITU-T, ETSI and ANSI protocol variants in a single protocol module. To support the Phase 1 HLR application, three protocol variants will be provided:

  1. ITU-T MTP Q.703/Q.704 1988/93
  2. ETSI MTP Q.703/Q.704 1988/93
  3. ANSI MTP T1.111/1996
• — Number of Signalling Points

  Although there is no hard limit on the number of local signalling points that can be supported by the OpenSS7 MTP protocol component, to support the HLR application, two (2) local signalling points are provided:

  1. One local signalling point in the ITU-T/ETSI domain.
  2. One local signalling point in the ANSI domain.
• — Number of Point Codes

  Although there is no hard limit on the number of signalling point codes per local signalling point that can be supported by the OpenSS7 MTP protocol component, to support the HLR application, two (2) signalling point codes are provided:

  1. One signalling point code in the ITU-T/ETSI domain.
  2. One signalling point code in the ANSI domain.
• — Number of Route Sets

  Although there is no hard limit on the number of remote signalling points (routesets) that can be supported by the OpenSS7 MTP protocol component, to support the HLR application, six (10) routesets are provided:

  1. One (1) routeset for one SGSN in the ITU-T/ETSI domain.
  2. One (1) routeset for one SGSN in the ANSI domain.
  3. One (1) routeset for another SGSN in the ITU-T/ETSI domain.
  4. One (1) routeset for another SGSN in the ANSI domain.
  5. One (1) routeset for an SMS-IWMSC/GMSC in the ITU-T/ETSI domain.
  6. One (1) routeset for an SMS-IWMSC/GMSC in the ANSI domain.
  7. Two (2) routesets, one for each mated pair of STPs in the ITU-T/ETSI domain.
  8. Two (2) routesets, one for each mated pair of STPs in the ANSI domain.
• — Number of Signalling Link Sets

  Although there is no hard limit on the number of signalling link sets that can be supported by the OpenSS78 MTP protocol component, to support the HLR application, two (2) combined linksets for a total of four (4) linksets are provided:

  1. One (1) combined A-linkset or two (2) A-linksets, one for each mated pair of STPs in the ITU-T/ETSI domain.
  2. One (1) combined A-linkset or two (2) A-linksets, one for each mated pair of STPs in the ANSI domain.
• — Number of Signalling Links

  Table T-1 provides a traffic model for the required number of signalling links. Worst case traffic at 15 million subscribers is as follows: 375 octets per subscriber per hour, or 12.5 Mbps of signalling links. This will require 195 low speed signalling links, or 6.3 Q.703 Annex B high-speed signalling links.

  To support the HLR application, signalling links will be provided as follows:

  • – Eight high-speed (2.048 Mbps) signalling links (E1), alternately in the ITU-T/ETSI domain or in the ANSI domain.
  • – Because the number of low-speed signalling links would far exceed the ANSI maximum of 32, low-speed signalling links cannot be used for 15 million subscriber tests.
• — Numebr of Interface Cards

  To support the SS7 signalling links will require:

  • – Two E400P-SS7 card; or,
  • – Two TE410-SS7 card; or,
  • – Two A104c card; or,
  • – Two PCI 384 card.

Phase 2 imposes SCCP sizing requirements as follows:

• — SCCP Protocol Variants

  The OpenSS7 SCCP component provides simultaneous support for ITU-T, ETSI and ANSI protocol variants in a single protocol module, and is unaffected by whether the underlying message transfer part is SS7 MTP Level 3 or M3UA.

• — SCCP Routing

  Phase 2 does not impose any new SCCP routing requirements and routing will still be performed on PC only.

• — Number of Local Subsystems

  To support M3UA, two additional subsystems are provided:

  1. One HLR subsystem for the ITU-T M3UA ASP.
  2. Another HLR subsystem for the ANSI M3UA ASP.
• — Number of Remote Signalling Points

  Phase 2 does not impose any new requirements on the number of remote signalling points.

• — Number of Remote Subsystems

  Phase 2 does not impose any new requirements on the number of remote signalling subsystems.

G.5 M3UA Sizing

Phase 2 adds requirements for M3UA sizing as follows:

• — Number of Protocol Variants

  The OpenSS7 M3UA component provides simultaneous support for ITU-T, ETSI and ANSI protocol variants in a single protocol module. To support the Phase 1 HLR application, three protocol variants will be provided:

  1. ITU-T MTP Q.703/Q.704 1988/93
  2. ETSI MTP Q.703/Q.704 1988/93
  3. ANSI MTP T1.111/1996

  These protocol variants will be provided in two (2) Network Appearances:

  1. One network appearance in the ITU-T/ETSI domain.
  2. One network appearance in the ANSI domain.
• — Number of Signalling Points

  Phase 2 adds the requirement for two (2) additional signalling points:

  1. One local signalling point in the ITU-T/ETSI domain.
  2. One local signalling point in the ANSI domain.
• — Number of Point Codes

  Phase 2 adds the requirement for two (2) additional signalling point codes:

  1. One signalling point code in the ITU-T/ETSI domain.
  2. One signalling point code in the ANSI domain.
• — Number of Application Server Processes

  Provision for 1 Application Server Process. The HLR will represent a single Application Server Process within the M3UA domain.

• — Number of Application Servers

  Provision for 2 M3UA Application Servers:

  1. One M3UA ASP is provisioned on the HLR within an ITU-T/ETSI network appearance requiring 1 ITU-T SS7 Signalling Point Code. This ASP utilizes a Routing Key that consists of the ITU-T Network Appearance, ITU-T DPC, and SI value for SCCP (3).
  2. Another M3UA ASP is provisioned on the HLR within an ANSI network appearance requiring 1 ANSI SS7 Signalling Point Code. This ASP utilizes a Routing Key that consists of the ANSI Network Appearance, ANSI DPC, and SI value for SCCP (3).

  Each ASP is an Override AS that has only one active ASP within the AS.

G.6 SCTP Sizing

Phase 2 adds requirement for SCTP sizing as follows:

• — Number of Associations

  Although there is no hard limit to the number of SCTP associations that can be supported by the OpenSS7 SCTP component, to meet the HLR requirements, two (2) associations will be provided:

  1. One association between the HLR and one SG acting as an STP mated pair.
  2. One association between the HLR and another SG acting as an STP mated pair.

  These two associations will each support the two Application Servers listed above under M3UA sizing.

G.7 IP/Ethernet Sizing

Phase 2 adds requirement for IP/Ethernet sizing as follows:

• — IP Addresses

  Two additional IP addresses and interfaces will be provided to accommodate SCTP multihomed associations.

• — Ethernet Interfaces

  Two additional Ethernet 100baseT NICs will be provided to accommodate M3UA traffic. Because worst case traffic is estimated per Table T-1 at 15 millions subscribers at 25 Mbps, these additional NICs should accommodate full M3UA traffic.

• — Ethernet Switch

  A 100baseT Layer 2 switch is provided to ensure that M3UA/SCTP traffic is not hubbed.

Index

Short Table of Contents

Table of Contents