Wireless 2G Core Network

IP Network Simulation

MAPS™ INAP Emulator

Simulation of Intelligent Network (IN) services using SS7 INAP (Intelligent Network Application Part) protocol over IP/TDM/ATM between gsmSCF and gsmSSF network elements.

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Background

Traditional telecommunications networks usually limited to making and receiving voice calls are now supporting enhanced services such as prepaid calling, tele-voting, number portability, call transfer, and so on. Such enhanced Intelligent Network (IN) services were defined by the ANSI and ITU-T standards. The core IN specifications defines Intelligent Network Application Part (INAP) as an application-layer protocol used in Intelligent Networks (IN). INAP is part of SS7 protocol suite and used for services such as single number translation (800), local number portability, incoming call management (do not disturb or call forwarding), backup call destinations in case of disaster, Apply Charging for the call duration, Establish Temporary Connection, Connect to Resources, and similar services. This protocol runs on top of TCAP and is deployed using SS7 or SIGTRAN.

The communication between SSPs in the SS7 network uses ISUP signaling. The communication between the SSP and the SCP takes place using the TCAP layer of SS7. As the SSP handles calls, the SCP is queried for information about how to process the IN service calls.

The functionality provided by the Intelligent Network (IN) is applicable to mobile/wireless networks, which includes mobility management to the task of implementing distributed IN services.

Intelligent Network Application Part (INAP) over TDM/ATM/IP provides the communication between the Functional Entities such as SSF and SCF, typically layered over TCAP similar to the mobile protocols. The Telephone exchange uses TCAP, SCCP and INAP.

The Service Switching Function (SSF) normally resides within the SSP and the Service Control Function (SCF) within the SCP. As the SSP handles calls, the SCP is queried for information about how to process the IN service calls. In IN network Service Switching Point (SSP) sends an INAP Initial Detection Point (IDP) message to the Service Control Point (SCP).

Overview

GL's  Message Automation & Protocol Simulation (MAPS™) is an advanced protocol simulator/tester for INAP (Intelligent Network Application Part) over TDM/ATM/IP  services.  The tester supports testing network elements gsmSCF and gsmSSF, error tracking, regression testing, conformance testing, and load testing/call generation. It is able to run pre-defined test scenarios against INAP test objects in a controlled & deterministic manner.

MAPS™ INAP functionality covers the ITU and ANSI variants of SS7 implementing M3UA, M2PA, M2UA, MTP3 and ISUP protocols over TDM and IP and ATM-transport protocols,-only INAP ANSI is supported over ATM. INAP can be transported using 'traditional' SS7 protocols carried by Message Transfer Protocol (MTP) in TDM/ATM (T1 and E1) or over IP using SIGTRAN. With the popularity of the internet and IP, a special IP protocol called SIGTRAN is rapidly gaining acceptance to transport SS7 signaling over IP.
MAPS™ INAP scripts are suitable for testing objects reliably and accurately validated for compliance with ANSI, and ITU-T specifications.

As per ANSI specifications, the supported services are CNAM (Calling Name Delivery), LNP (Local Number Portability), and Toll-free 800 Number over TCAP/ATM/IP layer as per ANSI. There are few other procedures supported such as Prepaid Voice Call Service, Toll Free Voice Call Service, Low Balance Voice Call Service,  and Initiate Call Attempt (ICA) Service over IP as per ITU-T specifications.

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

MAPS™ ANSI INAP ATM uses SSCOP server for establishing SSCOP links over which IN signaling will be carried further for making calls. SSCOP Server is GL's WCS based server module and provides SSCOP, and AAL5 layer services. Only INAP ANSI is supported over ATM

Over successfully established call, traffic can be generated. MAPS™ ANSI INAP ATM internally uses AAL5 Traffic Generator for traffic generation. Various traffic types like Tone, Digits and File playback are supported.

The AAL5 traffic simulation supports the following actions:

  • Transmitting Voice Files
  • Transmitting DTMF, MF Digits, and other Tones and Dual Tones
  • Recording Voice Files
  • Monitoring Single and Dual Tones, DTMF, and MF digits

MAPS™ supports Command Line Interface (CLI) and when configured as server-side application enables remote controlling of the application through multiple command-line based clients including Python and Java, using MAPS™ client-server architecture (requires additional license).

GL also provides an independent GUI based SS7 protocol analyzers (optional application – XX120) and SIGTRAN Analyzer for online capture and decode of the signaling in real-time both during tests and as a stand-alone tracer for live systems. 

Possible applications include:

  • Multi-protocol, Multi-interface Simulation
  • Provides fault insertion, and erroneous call flows testing capability
  • Performance testing, Load Testing, Functional testing, Regression testing and Conformance testing of network elements
  • Ready scripts make testing procedure simpler, less time consuming and hence time to market products
  • Test response of network against protocol message modification, or corruption
  • Inter-operability testing of networks

Supported Protocols Standards

ITU INAP TDM Protocol Stack

ITU INAP TDM Protocol Stack

Over TDM
Supported Protocols Standard / Specification Used
ITU INAP CS2 EN 301 140-1 V1.3.4 (1999-06)
TCAP ANSI T1.114-1996
SCCP Q.713, CCITT (ITU-T) Blue Book
MTP Q.703, ITU-T Blue Book


ITU INAP ATM Protocol Stack

ITU INAP ATM Protocol Stack

Over ATM
Supported Protocols Standard / Specification Used
ATM ATM ITU-T I.361
SSCOP ITU-T Q.2110
MTP3b ITU-T Recommendation Q.2210
AAL5 Class C & D (ITU-T I.363.5)


ANSI INAP ATM Protocol Stack

ANSI INAP ATM Protocol Stack

Over ATM
Supported Protocols Standard / Specification Used
CNAM GR-118-CORE
LNP GR 1299 CORE
TCAP ANSI T1.114-1996
SCCP  ANSI T1.112-1996
ATM ITU-T I.361
SSCOP ITU-T Q.2110
MTP3b ITU-T Recommendation Q.2210
AAL5 Class C & D (ITU-T I.363.5)
ANSI INAP IP Protocol Stack

ANSI INAP IP Protocol Stack

Over IP
Supported Protocols Standard / Specification Used
CNAM GR-118-CORE
LNP GR 1299 CORE
TCAP ANSI T1.114-2000
SCCP  ANSI rec. T.112 (1996), T1.116.2 (1996)
 MTP3 ANSI T1.111-1996
SCTP RFC 2960, RFC 4960


ITU INAP IP Protocol Stack

ITU INAP IP Protocol Stack

Over IP
Supported Protocols Standard / Specification Used
INAP INAP CS1 ITU / ETSI: Q1218(10 / 95)and ETSI 300 374 1, Sept, 1994
INAP CS2: Q.1228
TCAP ITU-T Q.771 - Q.775
SCCP Q.713, CCITT (ITU-T) Blue Book
M3UA RFC 3332
M2PA RFC 4165

Typical Call Procedures

Shown below are the typical INAP procedures over IP TDM and ATM interfaces:

CNAM (Calling Name Delivery) Service

CNAM (Calling Name Delivery) Service

LNP (Local Number Portability) Service

LNP (Local Number Portability) Service

Toll-free 800 Number Service

Toll-free 800 Number Service

Prepaid Voice Call Service

Prepaid Voice Call Service

Toll Free Voice Call Service

Toll Free Voice Call Service

Initial Call Attempt (ICA) Service

Initial Call Attempt (ICA) Service

Low  Balance Voice Call Service

Low Balance Voice Call Service
(playAnnouncement on Low Balance)

Low  Balance Voice Call Service

Low Balance Voice Call Service
(Release on Low Balance)

Call Generation and Reception

Call Generation option allows the user to simulate outgoing communications where an outgoing call is initiated by sending call control messages using proper scripts and profiles. The profile allows necessary parameters of call control messages to be changed during run-time.

The MAPS™ INAP TDM/ATM/IP configured to act as GSM SSF terminal to simulate Camel Voice calls prepaid service. The Prepaid Voice call procedure specifies the charging related information to be provided by the SSF and the conditions on which the information has to be reported back to the SCF via the "ApplyChargingReport" operation. The contents are Network Operator specific.

Prepaid  Voice Call Service at gsmSSF Node

Prepaid Voice Call Service at gsmSSF Node

 

MAPS™ INAP IP can also be configured as gsmSCF node to test the DUT (gsmSSF). The Voice Call Service script is triggered once the initialDP message is received from gsmSSF, which is processed and a response notifying SSF about the call related events is sent back. Followed by which Apply Charging operation is used to interact with the SSF about charging mechanisms.

Prepaid Voice Call Service at gsmSCF Node

Prepaid Voice Call Service at gsmSCF Node

Resources

Please Note: The XX in the Item No. refers to the hardware platform, listed at the bottom of the Buyer's Guide, which the software will be running on. Therefore, XX can either be ETA or EEA (Octal/Quad Boards), PTA or PEA (tProbe Units), XUT or XUE (Dual PCIe Express) depending upon the hardware.

Item Description
PKS136 MAPS™ INAP over IP Emulator (ANSI, ITU)
XX656

MAPS™ INAP (over T1 E1) Emulator
(requires T1 or E1 Hardware and Software)



Item No. MAPS™ for Wireless Network
LTS220 MAPS™ UMTS IuCS ATM Emulator over OC-3 / STM-1
requires LTS214 + LightSpeed1000™ Hardware; optional LTS217
LTS214 OC-3 / STM-1 SSCOP Server
LTS320 MAPS™ UMTS IuCS ATM Emulator over OC-12 / STM-4
requires LTS314 + LightSpeed1000™ Hardware; optional LTS317
LTS314 OC-12 / STM-4 SSCOP Server
LTS217 OC-3 / STM-1 AAL2 Traffic Core
LTS317 OC-12 / STM-4 AAL2 Traffic Core
 Item No. MAPS™ for IP Network
PKS122
PKS123
MAPS™ MEGACO Emulator
MAPS™ MEGACO Conformance Test Suite (Test Scripts)
PKS124 MAPS™ MGCP Protocol Emulation with Conformance Test Suite
PKS120
PKS121
MAPS™ SIP Emulator
SIP Conformance Test Suite (Test Scripts)
PKS127 MAPS™ IMS Emulator
PKS130 MAPS™ SIGTRAN Emulator
PKS132 MAPS™ MAP IP Emulator
PKS136 MAPS™ SIGTRAN SS7 INAP
PKS152 MAPS™ SIGTRAN ANSI MAP
PKS300 MAPS™ Multi-Interface MGC
XX649 MAPS™ SS7 Emulator
XX647 MAPS™ SS7 Conformance
XX651 MAPS™ CAS Emulator
XX694 MAPS™ MAP Emulator
XX696 MAPS™ CAP Emulator
XX656 MAPS™ INAP Emulator
  Related Hardware
FTE001

ETE001
QuadXpress T1E1 Main Board (Quad Port - requires additional licenses)

OctalXpress T1E1 Main Board plus Daughter Board (Octal Port - requires additional licenses)
PTE001 tProbe™ Dual T1 E1 Laptop Analyzer with Basic Analyzer Software
XTE001 Dual T1 E1 Express (PCIe) Boards (requires additional licenses)
Item No. Traffic Options
  GTP Mobile Traffic Options
ETH101
ETH102
ETH103
MobileTrafficCore - GTP
MobileTrafficCore - Gateway
MobileTrafficCore for Gb Interface
  TDM Traffic Options
XX610
XX620
XX646
File based Record/Playback
Transmit/Detect digits (Place Call/ Answer Call)
Multi-Channel TRAU Tx/Rx Emulation and Analysis
LTS217 OC-3 / STM-1 AAL2 Traffic Core
LTS317 OC-12 / STM-4 AAL2 Traffic Core