1 Introduction
This chapter provides a brief description of Oracle Communication's SS7-over-IP using SIGTRAN feature of the EAGLE. It also includes the scope, audience, and organization of this guide; how to find related publications; and how to contact Oracle for assistance.
About This Guide
An SS7-over-IP network consists of a traditional SS7 network that utilizes an IP network. This document describes SS7-over-IP networks that use the Signaling Transport (SIGTRAN) protocol suite as an enabler to access IP networks. IP-enabled or all-IP networks are growing in popularity for both wireline and wireless operators as they promise higher bandwidth at a lower cost, higher efficiency, and access to an exploding number of revenue-generating services. Participation in such services becomes increasingly difficult because of the high bandwidth required and the link restriction imposed by the traditional SS7 network.
A first step to IP success is an SS7-over-IP or SIGTRAN converged network to make reliable signaling over IP possible without replacing the entire network. The goal is to eventually move from the converged TDM/IP network to an all-IP network to take advantage of bandwidth, redundancy, reliability, and access to IP-based functions and applications. Oracle is prepared to take customers through this process at their own pace by offering expertise and tested products that will assist in achieving this goal.
This document examines the reasons for transitioning to an SS7-over-IP (SSoIP) network, the considerations that go into planning and dimensioning, and helpful information for implementing the network. This document does not attempt to provide a beginning-to-end solution for such a transition; contact your Sales Representative to discuss your specific needs.
Updates for this Release
As of Release 46.6, SLIC cards permit a higher capacity of 12K TPS per card.
Additional information is contained in various User's Guides in the EAGLE documentation, including EAGLE Release Notes, Command User's Guide, Database Administration - IP7 User's Guide, and Hardware Reference.
Documentation Admonishments
Admonishments are icons and text throughout this manual that alert the reader to assure personal safety, to minimize possible service interruptions, and to warn of the potential for equipment damage.
Table 1-1 Admonishments
| Icon | Description |
|---|---|
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Danger: (This icon and text indicate the possibility of personal injury.) |
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Warning: (This icon and text indicate the possibility of equipment damage.) |
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Caution: (This icon and text indicate the possibility of service interruption.) |
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Topple: (This icon and text indicate the possibility of personal injury and equipment damage.) |
Manual organization
The manual is organized into these chapters:
- Introduction provides the purpose of this document, the targeted audience, how the manual is organized, and contact information.
- SS7-over-IP Networks describes the concept of an SS7-over-IP network and the protocols it uses, the opportunities it provides now and what it means for future directions. This section takes the reader from current TDM limitations, to the role of SIGTRAN, to the reasoning of why and when to transition to an SS7-over-IP network.
- Oracle Communications Solutions describes how products are a part of the SS7-over-IP solution. This section describes the EAGLE function as a gateway to internet networks; and the Performance Intelligence Center (PIC) , which provides several network management and performance tools including IP traffic monitoring through the Integrated Message Feeder (IMF).
- Transition Planning provides a guideline on how to prepare for transition to an SS7-over-IP network.
- Dimensioning describes dimensioning issues and calculations required to maximize the efficiency of the new network. This section addresses scalability, redundancy schemes, throughput calculations for both normal and failover mode, LAN/WAN considerations, and retransmission concepts.
- Implementation provides hardware information, high-level configuration steps for the IPSG application, how to refine timers and parameters after the installation, and high-level system verification steps.
- Troubleshooting offers troubleshooting procedures based on symptoms occurring in the network.
- Additional Deployment Scenarios provides hardware information, high-level configuration steps for the IPSG application, how to refine timers and parameters after the installation, and high-level system verification steps.
- References lists external and internal references used in this manual. Customers requiring access to internal references should contact their Sales Representative to obtain equivalent information. This section also provides the location of customer documentation on the OTN.
Manual conventions
Several conventions are used in this document. While certain acronyms are standard in the telecom industry and are understood by most readers, this document treats network components and feature name as proper names and spells out their names to improve the reading of this document.
For some process descriptions, figures or tables are displayed at the beginning of the process to allow the reader to follow most of the process on the same page. This convention is identified with each process.
Where “end points” are mentioned, the full range is included: Service Switching Points (SSPs), Signaling Control Points (SCPs), Home Locator Registers (HLRs), and Short Message Service Centers (SMSCs).
Related Publications
For information about additional publications related to this document, refer to the Oracle Help Center site. See Locate Product Documentation on the Oracle Help Center Site for more information on related product publications.