Application Note Building Fault-tolerant SS7 Systems Using the Intel® NetStructure™ SIU520 SS7 Signaling Gateway

Application

SIUA

 

TCAP

Ethernet

instance = 0

 

SCCP

MTP

Inter-chassis

SS

 

communication

7

(RSI)

 

 

 

 

 

MTP

SCCP

TCAP instance = 1

SIUB

Transmit message for transaction handled by TCAP B

Message received for transaction handled by TCAP B

SS7

7 SS

Adjacent

Signaling

Point

Figure 14. Message Flow on a Dual-resilient System Running the SS7 Stack up to TCAP

In the second case, each unit controls half of the total available transactions. (The Intel NetStructure SIU520 SS7 signaling gateway supports up to 16,384 transac- tions. A dual-resilient system can consequently handle up to 32,768 simultaneous transactions.) Each transaction is processed for its entire duration by the SIU that processed the first TCAP message. The user application must therefore direct all messages for a transaction to the same SIU, and load balance outgoing dialogues between the two units. An incoming TCAP dialogue mes- sage other than BEGIN or QUERY is handled by the SIU that processed the first TCAP message for that dialogue received from the SS7 network. When an SIU receives a TCAP message that belongs to a transaction that was initiated on the other unit, it will pass this message to its peer SIU over the RSI connection. This is shown in

Figure 14. Failure of an SIU reduces the number of avail- able transactions to one-half.

In a dual-resilient transaction-based SIU system running the SS7 stack up to SCCP on the SIU, and TCAP (and above) on the application host, each host controls a fixed number of transactions. Each transaction is processed for its entire duration by the application host that processed the first TCAP message. Upon failure of one SIU unit, the TCAP capacity and ongoing transaction are totally unaffected.

The architectural decision taken on where the TCAP module is running also has consequences on the level of application resiliency and total system capacity. These consequences are explained in more details in “Failure of Application”, pg. 15.

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Intel SIU520 SS7 manual
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SIU520 SS7 specifications

The Intel SIU520 SS7 is a significant advancement in the realm of telecommunications, specifically designed for seamless signaling in a wide array of telecommunication infrastructures. As a part of Intel's pioneering suite of products, the SIU520 plays a critical role in managing signaling for telephony systems that require efficient handling of SS7 protocols.

One of the main features of the SIU520 is its support for the SS7 signaling protocol, which is pivotal for the establishment and management of telephone calls over traditional circuit-switched networks. With its robust design, the SIU520 ensures reliability in signaling, contributing to the reduction of call set-up times and the minimization of errors, thus enhancing the overall quality of communication services.

The SIU520 incorporates advanced technologies such as high-speed data processing capabilities, allowing it to handle multiple signaling messages concurrently. This is particularly important in environments with high call volumes, where efficient processing can significantly affect the performance of telecommunication services. Furthermore, the architecture of the SIU520 is designed for scalability, enabling easy integration into existing infrastructures while accommodating future expansions as demand increases.

Another characteristic that sets the SIU520 apart is its support for various signaling types beyond standard SS7, including ISDN and SIP. This makes it a versatile tool for service providers aiming to offer diverse services, such as voice, video, and data communications. The SIU520 is also designed with a focus on interoperability, which ensures that it can effectively communicate with equipment from different manufacturers, thus providing flexibility in deployment.

In terms of security features, the SIU520 is architected to withstand common threats in the communication landscape. It employs encryption and authentication protocols to safeguard signaling traffic, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected during transmission.

In summary, the Intel SIU520 SS7 represents a robust and flexible signaling solution crucial for modern telecommunications. With its support for multiple protocols, high processing speeds, scalability, and secure communication capabilities, it stands as a testament to Intel's commitment to advancing telecommunication technologies and enhancing the efficiency and reliability of communication networks worldwide.
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