Common Channel Signaling

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 What is CCS ?
 Stands for Common Channel Signaling
 Issued in 1980 by CCITT (ITU-T)
 CCITT#7 Signaling System were obtained in
1984

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 Signalling
 Signalling is the exchange of information between
network nodes for successful provision of
telephony and data services.
 Effective signalling turns elements of network into
a living and powerful network that is the life blood
of meeting the expectations of its customers.

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 Signalling Fundamentals & SS7

STP
STP STP
STP
WW XX

SSP
SSP SSP
SSP
AA BB

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 STP STP

SCP SCP

STP STP

SSP SSP

SSP Service Switch Points

STP Service Transfer Points
SCP Service Control Points
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SIGNALING ELEMENTS 5
 Types of Signalling

NODE: A NODE: B

Channel Associated

NODE: A NODE: B

Common Channel
Voice/Data Circuit Signalling Link
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 Signal Functions
Functionally, we have
 Supervisory:
 Monitoring the status of a line or circuit to determine its state
(busy, idle, )

 Addressing:
 Transmitting routing and destination signals over the network.

 Alerting:
 Advising the addressee of the arrival of an incoming call.

 Billing:
 Generation and collection of billing information pertaining to a
specific call.

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 What is SS7?
 Signaling System Number 7 (SS7) is a means by which
elements of the telephone network exchange information.
 This information is conveyed in the form of messages
 SS7 is characterized by high-speed packet data and out-
of-band signaling.
 SS7 is to provide an international standard for CCS
suitable for Stored Program Control (SPC) exchanges and
PBXs
 It operates on digital networks at 64kb/s .
 Two functional parts of SS7:
– User Part (used by user e.g. ISUP, TUP)
– Application Part (used by network e.g. TCAP, INAP)

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 What is SS7 (Cont’)
SS7 technology sets up trunk circuits between switching systems for
the actual calls. The SS7 network enabled the introduction of new
services, such as caller ID. Caller ID provides the calling party's
telephone number, which is transmitted over the SS7 network.

Additionally, SS7 is responsible for the delivery of many enhanced

custom calling features often associated with ISDN. These services
include Caller ID, Selective Ringing (or Priority Ringing), Call
Forwarding, Call Block (or Call Screen), Call Trace.

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 SS7 Network Architecture
The SS7 network (illustrated right)
separates the call setup information
and talk path from the common
trunks that runs between switching
systems. The call setup information
travels outside the common trunk
path over the SS7 network. The type
of information transferred included
permission for the call setup,
whether the called party was busy.
 The basic elements of the SS7
network are:
– Signaling Point (SP)
– Service Switching Point (SSP)
– Signaling Transfer Point (STP)
– Service Control Point (SCP)
– Signaling Link
 Modes of Operation

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 Basic elements of the SS7 network
 A Signaling Point (SP) is a PSTN switching office that is provided with SS7 voice trunk capability.
SPs can be end offices( Local Exchange ,Transit/Combined Transit Exchange ,Mobile Service
Switching Center ).
 A Service Switching Point (SSP) is an SP that has the capability to interact with databases, in
order to provide a variety of centralized services, such as:
– 800 (Toll Free Service)
– Calling Card Service
– 900 (Premium Rate Service)
– Utility Bill Payment Service
SSPs are PSTN switches and can be end offices or transit switches.
 A Signaling Transfer Point (STP) is a network node that is used to provide efficient SS7
message routing and transport capability. Incoming messages are examined and routed towards
their ultimate destination. STPs are packet switches and control messages between SPs,SSPs
and SCPs,and b/w STP.
 The Service Control Point (SCP) is a node that is used to provide the database and transaction
capability for the various centralized services. SCPs provide routing to SSPs.
 A Signaling Link consists of signaling terminal equipment and a transmission facility. It is used for
the exchange of information between nodes in the network.

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 Modes of Operation
SS7 supports typically in two signaling
modes of operation:
 Associated
 Quasi-Associated

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 Associated Mode
In the Associated mode of operation, the messages
relating to a particular signaling relation between two points
are conveyed over a linkset directly inter-connecting these
signaling points.

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 Quasi Associated Mode
In the Quasi-Associated mode of operation, the messages relating to a
particular signaling relation are conveyed over two or more links ,passing
through one or more Signaling Transfer Points (STPs).

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 SS7 Software Architecture
Four major software units:
 Message Transfer Part (MTP)
 Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP)
 Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP)
 Integrated Services Digital Network User Part (ISUP)
The function of the MTP is to serve as a transport system, providing reliable
transfer of signaling messages between nodes in the network.

SCCP provides additional functions to the MTP to enhance the routing capabilities
to provide advanced features such as pre paid card validation.

TCAP is an application layer protocol used to provide services to support database

transaction type applications. (i.e.... 800+) .

ISUP provides inter-exchange signaling to support,SS7 voice trunks (ISUP) setup

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 SS7 MTP (level 1, 2, 3)
 The Message Transfer Part (MTP) is further separated
into 3 functional levels:
– Signaling Data Link Level (MTP-1)
 Sometimes referred to as the physical level
 It is the physical circuit used to transmit signaling
messages
 furnishes the interface to the physical media
 The standard bit rate is 56 kbps or 64 kbps, any
channel can be used except 0.
 A bi-directional transmission path for signaling;

User of User of – Signaling Link Level (MTP-2)

MTP MTP  allows errors in transmission to be detected and
recovered
– Signaling Network Level (MTP-3)
Signaling
Peer Communication Process Signaling  Include such capabilities as exchange/MSC
Network addressing, routing, alternate routing, and
Network
Level congestion control
Level

Signaling Signaling MTP-3 has two basic categories:

Link
Peer Communication Process
Link  Signaling Message Handling
Level Level – - to ensure the signaling messages originated at
an originating signaling node are delivered to the
correct destination signaling node, as indicated
Signaling Signaling by the sending “User”.
Physical Communication
Data Link Data Link
– OPC ,DPC
Level Facility Level
 Signaling Network Management
– - to provide reconfiguration of the signaling network in the
Exchange/MSC A Exchange/MSC B case of failures and to control the signaling traffic in the
case of congestion.

Message Transfer Part (MTP)

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 SS7 SCCP
The Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP):

 Some applications may require the transfer of signaling messages which are
not related to a particular circuit for example credit card validation in the
Intelligent Network (FIN ,WIN)

 SCCP supplements the message carrying capabilities of MTP so that both

circuit and non circuit related signaling can be supported.

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 SS7 TCAP
The transaction capabilities application part
(TCAP) :
 “Transaction capabilities (TC)" refers to the capabilities of
providing information requests and responses.
 Define the messages and protocol used to communicate
between applications (deployed as subsystems) in
nodes;
 Be used for database services, such as 800 .
 Use the SCCP for transport because TCAP messages
must be delivered to individual applications within the
nodes they address.
 The TCAP protocol will be used between the SSP and
SCP for these enhanced services.

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 TCAP
 TCAP was first used for 800 number translation
 The area code “800” cannot be routed as it does not specify any
particular exchange
 The number need to be converted into a routable number by a
database

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 SS7 ISUP
ISDN User Part (ISUP):
 Defines the messages and
protocol used in the
establishment and tear down of
voice calls over the public
switched network;
 Manage the trunk network on
which they rely.
Despite its name, ISUP is used for
both ISDN and non-ISDN calls.
All calls in North America is
setup by ISUP even for non-
ISDN subscriber

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 ISUP and MTP
The purpose of the ISDN User Part is to:
– Set up ISUP trunk calls in the network
The services of the SS7 Message Transfer Part (MTP) are used to
effect the transfer of signaling information between communicating
ISDN User Parts, located on the different switches.

End-to-End signaling is used typically between call Originating and

Terminating Local exchanges, to request or to respond to the request
for additional call related information.

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 Basic Call Control and Signaling
Procedures
The basic call control is divided into 3 phases:
 Call Set-up
 Conversation phase
 Call Clear-down
Messages on the Signaling Link are used to establish and terminate
the different phases of a call.

Standard supervisory tones and/or recorded announcements are

returned to caller on the ISUP trunks to provide information on the
progress of a call, where applicable.

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 Basic Call Setup Example

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 Basic Call Setup Example
(Cont’d)
9.On receiving the ACM, switch connects the calling subscriber line to
1.Switch A analyzes the dialed digits and determines that it needs to send
the selected trunk in the backwards direction (so that the caller can
the call to switch B. hear the ringing sent by switch B). 10.When and/or if the called
2.Switch A selects an idle trunk between itself and switch B and subscriber picks up the phone, switch B formulates an answer
formulates an initial address message (IAM), the basic message message (ANM), identifying the intended recipient switch (A), the
necessary to initiate a call. The IAM is addressed to switch B. It sending switch (B), and the selected trunk.
identifies the initiating switch (switch A), the destination switch 11 Switch B selects the same A link it used to transmit the ACM (link BX)
(switch B), the trunk selected, the calling and called numbers. and sends the ANM. By this time, the trunk must also be
3.Switch A picks its link AW and transmits the message over the link for connected to the called line in both directions (to allow
routing to switch B. conversation).
4.STP W receives a message, inspects its routing label, and determines 12.STP X recognizes that the ANM is addressed to switch A and
that it is to be routed to switch B. It transmits the message on link forwards it over link AX.
BW. 13.Switch A ensures that the calling subscriber is connected to the
5.Switch B receives the message. On analyzing the message, it outgoing trunk (in both directions) and that conversation can take
determines that it serves the called number and that the called place.
number is idle. 14.If the calling subscriber hangs on first (following the conversation),
6.Switch B formulates an address complete message (ACM), which switch A will generate a release message (REL) addressed to
indicates that the IAM has reached its proper destination. The switch B, identifying the trunk associated with the call. It sends the
message identifies the recipient switch (A), the sending switch (B), message on link AW.
and the selected trunk. 15.STP W receives the REL, determines that it is addressed to switch B,
7.Switch B picks one of its links say BX and transmits the ACM over the and forwards it using link WB.
link for routing to switch A. At the same time, it completes the call 16.Switch B receives the REL, disconnects the trunk from the subscriber
path in the backwards direction (towards switch A), sends a ringing line, returns the trunk to idle status, generates a release complete
tone over that trunk towards switch A, and rings the line of the called message (RLC) addressed back to switch A, and transmits it on
subscriber. link BX. The RLC identifies the trunk used to carry the call.
8.STP X receives the message, inspects its routing label, and 17.STP X receives the RLC, determines that it is addressed to switch A,
determines that it is to be routed to switch A. It transmits the and forwards it over link AX.
message on link AX. 18.On receiving the RLC, switch A idles the identified trunk.

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 Successful Call Set-up
There are 3 general messages used to set a call on an ISUP trunk:

 Initial Address Message (IAM)

– sent in the forward direction to initiate seizure of an outgoing circuit
and to transmit address and other information relating to the routing
and handling of a call.
 Address Complete Message (ACM)
– sent in the backward direction indicating that all the address signals
required for routing the call to the Called party has been received.
 Answer Message (ANM)
– sent in the backward direction, indicating that the Called party has
gone “Off hook”.

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 Normal Call Release
The release procedures are based on a 2 message approach, they are:

 Release Message (REL)

– sent in either direction to indicate the release of the identified ISUP
trunk.
 Release Complete Message (RLC)
– sent in opposite direction, and, in response to the Released
message for a particular ISUP trunk circuit. This message is sent
after the circuit has been released.

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 Database Query Example
People generally are familiar with the toll-free aspect of 800 (or 888) numbers, but these
numbers have significant additional capabilities made possible by the SS7 network. 800
numbers are "virtual" telephone numbers. Although they are used to point to "real"
telephone numbers, they are not assigned to the subscriber line itself.

When a subscriber dials an 800 number, it is a signal to the switch to seek further
instructions from a database. The database will provide either a real phone number to
which the call should be directed, or it will identify another network (e.g......, a long-
distance carrier) to which the call should be routed for further processing. While the
response from the database could be the same for every call (as, for example, if you
have a personal 800 number), it can be made to vary based on the calling number, the
time of day, the day of the week.

The following example shows how an 800 call is routed.

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 Database Query Example
(Cont’d)
1.A subscriber served by switch A wants to reserve a rental car at a
company's nearest location. She dials the company's advertised 800
number.
2.When the subscriber has finished dialing, switch A recognizes that
this is an 800 call and that it requires assistance to handle it properly.
3.Switch A formulates an 800 query message including the calling and
called number and forwards it to either of its STPs (e.g......, X) over its
A link to that STP (AX).
4.STP X determines that the received query is an 800 query and
selects a database suitable to respond to the query (e.g......, M).
5.STP X forwards the query to SCP M over the appropriate A link
(MX).
6.SCP M receives the query, extracts the passed information, and
(based on its stored records) selects either a "real" telephone number
or a network (or both) to which the call should be routed.
7.SCP M formulates a response message with the information
necessary to properly process the call, addresses it to switch A, picks
an STP and an A link to use (e.g......, MW), and routes the response.
8.STP W receives the response message, recognizes that it is
addressed to switch A, and routes it to A over AW.
9.Switch A receives the response and uses the information to
determine where the call should be routed. It then picks a trunk to that
destination, generates an initial address message (IAM), and
proceeds (as it did in the previous example) to set up the call.

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 Message Flow

800 Call Set Up Example

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 Basic Call Example
Originating Local Exchange A Transit Exchange
Terminating Local Exchange B

Initial Address Message

Initial Address Message

Address Complete Message

Address Complete Message
Answer Message
Answer Message

Speech Phase Speech Phase

Release Message

Release Message
Release Complete Message

Release Complete Message

Note: Calling Party Clears first

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 The End

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