SIGNALING SYSTEM NO.

7
 INTRODUCTION

CCITT Signaling System No. 7 (SS No. 7) was

developed to meet the advanced signaling
requirements of the all-digital network based on
the 64 kbits/s channel.

CCITT No. 7 is a data network

entirely dedicated to interswitch
signaling
 INTRODUCTION
Common-channel signaling system

•Optimized for operation with digital networks where switches

use stored program control (SPC).

•Can meet present and future requirements of information

transfer for call control, remote control, network data base
access and management, and maintenance signaling.

•Provides a reliable means of information transfer in correct

sequence without loss or duplication.
Common Channel Signaling System No. 7 (i.e., SS7 or C7)

• The SS7 network and protocol are used for:

– toll-free (800) services (First Usage of SS7 in 1980 in USA)
– basic call setup, management, and tear down
– wireless services such as personal communications
services (PCS), wireless roaming, and mobile subscriber
authentication
– local number portability (LNP)
– enhanced call features such as calling party name/number
display
– efficient and secure worldwide telecommunications
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 SS7 Network Architecture

• SS7 network is separate from the voice

network.

• SS7 is used for the purpose of switching data

messages (relating to connecting telephone
calls and maintaining the signaling network).

• Packet Switching is the method used for

transferring messages through network.
 SS7 Network Architecture

• Telephone switches perform dual function

– Voice related functions( connectivity with other exchanges and
switching of voice circuits)
– Signaling functions

• Signaling function is accomplished through adjunct Computers, which

are connected through digital links to other computers in the
network.

• These Computers are referred to as Signaling Points.

• All nodes in the SS7 network are called Signaling Points
 SS7 Network Architecture
• Signaling Points
– Provide access to the SS7 network
– Provide access to databases
– Transfer SS7 messages to other signaling points within the network

• Each Signaling Point in the SS7 network is uniquely identified by a

numeric Point Code. Point codes are carried in signaling messages
exchanged between signaling points to identify the source and
destination of each message

• Three types of Signaling Points in the SS7 network exist

– SSP (Service Switching Point)
– STP (Signal Transfer Point)
– SCP (Service Control Point)
SS7 Network Architecture
 SS7 Network Architecture
• Service Switching Point (SSP)
– An SSP can be a combination voice switch and SS7 switch

– OR An adjunct computer connected to the local exchange's voice

switch

– SSP must convert signaling from the voice switch into SS7
signaling messages

– In the case of database access, the SSP will be sending database

queries through the SS7 network to the computer systems located
centrally to the network. (First usage of the SS7 network)

– Called and Calling Party Address must be passed from the voice
switch to the SSP for transfer across the network
 SS7 Network Architecture

• Signal Transfer Point (STP)

– All SS7 packets travel from one SSP to another
through the services of STP

– STP serves as a Router (Packet Switch ) in the SS7

network.

– Messages are not usually originated by an STP.

– The STP switches SS7 messages as received from the

various SSPs through the network to their appropriate
destinations
 SS7 Network Architecture

• Service Control Point (SCP)

– Serves as an interface to telephone company
databases
• These databases are used to store information about
– Subscribers’ services
– Routing of special service numbers (such as 800)
– Calling card validation and fraud protection
– Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) services

– SCP is usually a computer used as a front end to the

database system
 SS7 Network Architecture

• Signaling Data Links

– All SS7 Signaling points are interconnected via
signaling data links.

– These links are bi-directional, using both a transmit

and receive pair for simultaneous transmission in
both directions.

– These data links are

• 56 Kbps in North America
• 4.8 Kbps in Japan
• 64 Kbps in nearly every other portion of the world
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 Modes of Signaling
• There are three modes of signaling
– (Full ) Associated Signaling
– Non Associated Signaling
– Quasi-associated Signaling

• Associated Signaling
– In associated signaling, the signaling link is directly parallel with
the voice facility for which it is carrying signaling

– This is not ideal, because it would require a signaling link from

the end office to every other end office in the network
 Modes of Signaling
• Nonassociated Signaling
– Non-associated signaling involves the use of STPs to reach the remote
exchange
– There are usually multiple nodes involved for signaling messages to
reach the final destination , while the voice may be a direct path to
the destination.

• Quasi-associated Signaling
– Quasi-associated signaling uses a minimal number of nodes to reach
the final destination.
– In Quasi-associated signaling, both SSPs connect to the same STP. The
signaling path is still through the STP to the adjacent SSP
– This is the most favorable method of signaling, because each node
introduces additional delay in signaling delivery.
– For this reason, SS7 network favour quasi-associated signaling
 Associated Signaling
Signaling Path
SSP SSP

Voice Trunk

Signaling Path

STP STP
STP

Signaling Path Signaling Path

SSP
SSP SSP SSP

Voice Trunk Voice Trunk

Non -Associated Signaling Quasi-Associated Signaling

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SS7 Protocol Stack
 SS7 Protocol Stack
• The SS7 protocol stack consists of only four levels
• The OSI model consists of seven layers

• This is due to the fact that SS7 was developed before the OSI
model
– SS7 in 1980 & OSI in 1982

CCITT Rec. Q.709 specifies no more than 2.2 s of postdial

delay for 95% of calls.
To accomplish this, a limit is placed on the number of relay
points, called STPs, that can be traversed by a signaling message
and by the inherent design of SS No. 7 as a four-layer system.
 SS7 Protocol Stack

• Message Transfer Part ( MTP )

– MTP is divided into three levels
• MTP Level 1
• MTP Level 2
• MTP Level 3
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Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1
User A
Parts
Message Transfer Part
C
D Signalling network functions
B Signalling data link
Signalling message handling Signalling link
Signalling
Message Message Switching Transmission
TUP link channels
distribution discrimination functions
functions

DUP Mes sage

routing

SCCP
Signalling Network Management

Other
Signalling
traffic
type
management

Signalling
route
management

Signalling
link
management

Testing and maintenance

T1156170-93/d06
Signalling mes sage flow
Controls and indications

Detailed structure of signalling system functions

 Signaling system structure
Layer 1 (MTP1 Signaling Data Link Level )

•It defines the physical, electrical, and functional characteristics

of the signaling data link and the means to access it.

•The signaling data link should always be Terrestrial , although

Satellite links are supported in the standards

Layer 2 ( MTP2 Signaling Link Level )

•Layer 2 carries out the signaling link function
•It defines the functions and procedures for the transfer of
signaling messages over one individual signaling data link.
•A signaling message is transferred over the signaling link in
variable-length signal units.
signaling link functions include:
1. Delimitation of a signal unit by means of flags.

2. Flag imitation prevention by bit stuffing.

3. Error detection by means of check bits included in each signal

unit.

4. Error control by retransmission and signal unit sequence

control by means of explicit sequence numbers in each signal
unit and explicit continuous acknowledgments.

5. Signaling link failure detection by means of signal unit error

monitoring and signaling link recovery by means of special
procedures.
 Signaling system structure
Layer 3 (MTP 3 Signaling Network Level )

Defines such transport functions and procedures that are common

to and independent of individual signaling links.

There are two categories of functions in layer 3:

Signaling Message-Handling Functions:
These functions direct the message to the proper signaling link or
user part

Signaling Network Management Functions:

These control real-time routing, control, and network
reconfiguration, if required.
 Signaling system structure
Layer 4 (User Part)

Each user part defines the functions and procedures peculiar to the
particular user.
Such as:
•Telephone (TUP)
•Data (DUP)
•ISDN user part (ISUP)
 Signaling system structure
signal message:
The signal message is defined by CCITT Rec. Q.701 as
an assembly of information , defined at layer 3 or 4.

signaling information of the message:

•It contains user information, such as data or call control
signals, management and maintenance information, and
type and format of message.

•It also includes a “label.” The label enables the message to be

routed by layer 3 through the signaling network to its destination
and directs the message to the desired user part or circuit.
Message signal units (MSUs):
•On the signaling link, signaling information is contained in the
message signal units (MSUs).

• It also include transfer control functions related to layer 2

functions on the link.
Message Label:
In the standard label, the portion that is used for routing is called
the routing label.
The routing label includes:

Destination and originating points of the message.

A code used for load sharing.
Signaling point in a signaling network is assigned an identification
code according to a code plan.
Signaling Message Handling Functions:
•Message Routing
•Message Distribution
•Message Discrimination
Signaling traffic management
The goal of Traffic management is to keep traffic moving
toward its destination, even in the event of network failures
and congestion.

This movement often involves rerouting traffic onto an

alternate network path and, in some situations, might
require message retransmission.

Traffic management depends on the information provided by link

management and route management to direct user traffic.

For example, when a TFP is received for a destination, traffic

management must determine whether an alternate route is
available and shift traffic to this alternate route.
 Signaling system structure
Signaling Network Management

The three signaling network management functional

blocks are:

1. Signaling traffic management

2. Signaling route management

3. Signaling link management

The transfer of signaling traffic is performed in accordance with
specific procedures.

These procedures are:

•Changeover
• Changeback
• Forced rerouting
•Controlled rerouting etc.
Changeover is the process of diverting traffic to a new link when a
link becomes unavailable.

Changeover to a New Linkset

gnaling link management
Signaling link management controls the locally connected
signaling link sets.

The signaling link management interacts with the signaling link

function at level 2 by receipt of indications of the status of
signaling links.

It is link management's responsibility to detect any communication

loss and attempt to restore it.

Link management can be divided into three processes:

•Activation
•Deactivation
•Restoration
Signaling Route Management

Signaling route management only relates to the quasi-associated

mode of signaling.

Signaling route management communicates the availability

of routes between SS7 nodes.

A signaling transfer point may send

messages indicating inaccessibility of a
particular signaling point via that
signaling transfer point, thus enabling
other signaling points to stop routing
message to an inoperative route.
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 The Signaling Data Link (Layer 1)
A signaling data link is a bidirectional transmission path for
signaling comprising two data channels operating together in
opposite directions at the same data rate.

A digital signaling data link is made up of digital transmission

channels and digital switches or their terminating equipment
providing an interface to SS No. 7

Physical interfaces defined include

E-1 (2.048 Mb/s; 32 64 kb/s channels)
DS-1 (1.544 Mb/s; 24 64 kb/s channels),
V.35 (64 kb/s), for use with high speed modems
DS-0 (64 kb/s), and
DS-0A (56 kb/s)
 The Signaling Data Link (Layer 1)
The standard bit rate on a digital bearer is 64 kbits/s.

The minimum signaling bit rate for telephone call control

applications is 4.8 kbits/s

The standard time slot for signaling is time slot 16.

When time slot 16 is not available, any time slot available for
64-kbit/s user transmission rate may be used.

**Equipment such as echo suppressors, digital pads, or

A/μ-law converters attached to the transmission link
must be disabled **
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 THE SIGNALING LINK (LEVEL 2)
The signaling link (level 2) functions include:

1. Signaling unit delimitation

2. Signal unit alignment
3. Error detection
4. Error correction
5.Initial alignment
6.Signal link error monitoring
7.Flow control
1. Signal Unit Delimitation

A flag octet that is coded as 01111110 separates consecutive signal

units on a signaling data link. The flag octet indicates the beginning
or end of an SU.

Measures are taken to ensure

that the pattern cannot be
imitated elsewhere in the unit

0 is inserted after every sequence of five

consecutive 1s. This method is called bit stuffing (or
0 bit insertion). It solves the problem of false flags)
Zero Bit Insertion and Deletion

It is optional whether a single flag is used to mark both the

beginning and end of an SU, or whether a common flag is used for
both. The latter is the most common implementation.
2. Signal unit alignment
Loss of alignment occurs when a bit pattern disallowed by the
delimitation procedure i.e. more than six consecutive 1s is
received, or when a certain maximum length of signal unit is
exceeded.
Transmitting end performs 0 bit insertion. If seven or more
consecutive 1s are detected, this signifies a loss of alignment.

Loss of alignment will cause a change in the mode of operation of the signal unit error rate
monitor.

3. Error Detection.

The error detection function is performed by the standard CRC

(cyclic redundancy check) with the 16 bits appended to the end of
each SS No. 7 signal unit (frame). If the presence of errors is
indicated, the signal unit is discarded.
4.Error Correction
Two forms of error correction are provided
1. Basic error correction (BEC):
a. Signaling links using terrestrial transmission means.
b. Intercontinental signaling links where one-way
propagation is less than 15 ms

2. Preventive cyclic retransmission (PCR) method:

a. Intercontinental signaling links where the one-way
delay is equal to or greater than 15 ms.
b. Signaling links established via satellite.

Neither method tries to repair a corrupt MSU; rather, they both

seek correction by MSU retransmission.
 SS7 Protocol Stack
MTP Level 2 ( Signaling Link Level )
– MTP Level 2 is equivalent to the OSI Data Link Layer

– It ensures that
• All transmitted blocks of data are delivered with no losses or
duplications
• Blocks of data are delivered in the same order in which they
were transmitted
• The receiver is capable of exercising flow control over the
sender

– Many of the techniques found in well known data link protocols,

such as HDLC, LAPD and LAPB are used in in the SS7 signaling link
level
 SS7 Protocol Stack
MTP Level 2 ( Signaling Link Level )

– Flow control used is Sliding Window mechanism

– Error control used is Go-Back-N ARQ
– The blocks of data transmitted at the MTP level 2 ( signaling link
level ) are called Signal Units

– There are three types of signal units

• Message Signal Unit ( MSU )
• Link Status Signal Units ( LSSU )
• Fill-In Signal Units ( FISU )
• Fill-in Signal Unit (FISU)
– When no traffic is being sent and the network is idle,
FISU is sent to provide constant error checking on the
link
– Because a CRC checksum is calculated for each FISU,
signaling link quality is checked continuously by both
signaling points at either end of the link
– In the event that a link has degraded to a point where
it is causing too many errors, the link can be taken
out of service
– FISUs are sent only at predefined timer intervals (e.g.,
once every 150 milliseconds)
 SS7 Protocol Stack
• Link Status Signal Unit (LSSU)
– Sent between two signaling points to indicate the
status of the signaling link on which it is carried
– The link status is used to control link alignment and
to indicate the status of a signaling point (e.g., local
processor outage) to the remote signaling point
Important concept with LSSU is that the status
reported is that of the transmitting signaling point,
and not of the transmission facility.
 SS7 Protocol Stack
• Message Signal Unit ( MSU )
– Carries user data from level 4
– Message Signal Units (MSUs) carry
• all call control messages (IAM , SAM etc. )
• database query and response
• network management, and network maintenance
data
in the Signaling Information Field (SIF).
– SIF has a Routing label which allows an originating
signaling point to send information to a destination
signaling point across the network
 SS7 Protocol Stack
• MTP Level 3 ( Signaling Network Level )
– MTP Level 3 is equivalent to the OSI Network Layer
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 SS7 Protocol Stack
• Length Indicator ( LI )
• The 6-bit LI can store values between zero and 63
– Indicates signal unit type
LI value Signal Unit Type
0 FISU
1,2 LSSU
3..63 MSU (Various
lengths of MSU

– Also indicates the length in octets of the upper level

 SS7 Protocol Stack
• Service Information Octet ( SIO )
– SIO field in MSU is used to
• Identifies the user part ( TUP , ISUP etc.)
• Identifies version of SS7 protocol / network indicator
( National SS 7, International SS7)
– National Call or International Call
– Finds application in Gateway STP where Protocol
conversion between National SS7 protocol and
International SS7 protocol is performed
– SIO field contains two sub fields
Service Indicator (4 bits ) Subservice field( 4 bits)
 SS7 Protocol Stack
• Subservice Field

00XX International Network

10XX National Network
– Another reason for this field is because of the difference between the
point codes used between international and national networks
 SS7 Protocol Stack
• Service Indicator specifies the MTP user
Service MTP User
Indicator
0 Signaling Network Management Message (SNM)
1 Maintenance Regular Message (MTN)
2 Maintenance Special Message (MTNS)
3 Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP)
4 Telephone User Part (TUP)
5 ISDN User Part (ISUP)
6 Data User Part (call and circuit-related messages)
7  Data User Part (facility registration/cancellation
messages)
 SS7 Protocol Stack
• Signaling Information Field ( SIF )
– SIF field in MSU contains
• Routing Label ( OPC , DPC, SLS )
• User data from SS7 user part like TUP, ISUP etc or
Network Management data
– Actual Message ( IAM , SAM etc. )

Signaling Information Field ( SIF )

8n 4 14 14
User Part / Network SLS OPC DPC
Management
Routing Label
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