1. EAGLE SIGTRAN User's Guide
  2. Oracle Communications Solutions

3 Oracle Communications Solutions

This chapter describes how Oracle products are a part of the SS7-over-IP solution - how the EAGLE functions as a gateway to internet networks; and describes the PIC, which provides several network management and performance tools including IP traffic monitoring through the IMF.

Overview

Oracle has set the standard for ultra-reliable, high-performance, scalable signaling in wireless and wireline networks around the world. Advanced solutions optimize network efficiency and save customer capital and operational costs, addresses network transition by providing the signaling bridge to seamlessly converge circuit and packet-switched technologies.

Operators can leverage existing TDM and ATM network resources as they transition at their own pace to new IP-based transport and services. Oracle’s innovative switching solutions create cost-effective, fully scalable networks with built-in flexibility, making it quick and easy to roll out high-margin multimedia services to business and residential customers.

Tekelec, the IP signaling leader and the first to recognize the value of IP Signaling by developing the TALI protocol (RFC 3094) in 1998, was first to market with an IP Signaling solution in 2000, and has years of IP signaling deployment experience. Tekelec was acquired by Oracle in 2013.

There are a variety of products available to implement a new IP network or upgrade an existing SS7 network.

EAGLE

The EAGLE is a robust SS7-over-IP solution that delivers centralized signaling routing and bridges legacy circuit-switched and packet networks. EAGLE provides seamless interworking between TDM resources such as Service Control Points and IP-enabled elements such as Media Gateway Controllers and next-generation databases. With its packet-based technology, the EAGLE can handle signaling requirements of the most complex networks, delivering dynamic bandwidth sharing to support increases in signaling traffic without adding new nodes. The same platform delivers full Signal Transfer Point (STP) capabilities and a complete portfolio of integrated applications.

Using the EAGLE to structure the network provides a predictable and reliable architecture with all required interfaces. It is easily scalable to cover huge core networks, with an independent control layer that allows expansion on different parts of the network independent of each other.

The EAGLE provides ease of database management for the SS7-over-IP architecture. Key benefits of using the SS7-over-IP solution include:

  • Decreased network congestion: Oracle’s packet-switched technology delivers dynamic bandwidth sharing to enable carriers to effectively expand their signaling network and reduce network bottlenecks. By replacing TDM links with an IP interface, service providers can significantly increase signaling capacity to Service Control Points.
  • Reduced transport costs: Replacing long-haul, point-to-point SS7 links between network elements with IP connectivity can reduce recurring signaling transport costs by 40% to 70%.
  • More efficient networks: Transitioning to SS7-over-IP signaling does not require expensive equipment replacement or costly software upgrades for existing end nodes. With Oracle solutions, carriers can streamline their networks while reducing administration, without service interruption during installation.
  • Migration to next-generation architecture: The EAGLE can appear as an end office to the SS7 network by sharing its point code with the IP endpoints. This allows carriers to migrate to a packet-based architecture without adding a new point code or reconfiguring the network. Oracle’s open, multi-protocol architecture (SS7, SCTP, M2PA, and M3UA) provides carriers the capability to grow and migrate their network with the independence to choose best-in-class products.

IPSG application

The EAGLE implements SIGTRAN with the IPSG application:

The IPSG represents a unified application for both ANSI and ITU links on a single association.

The IPSG application uses SCTP with the M2PA protocol to support A-, B-, C-, D-links. It also uses SCTP with the M3UA protocol to support such user part as SCCP and ISUP over A-links to IP-resident network elements such as Service Switching Points, Mobile Switching Centers, Service Control Points and Home Location Registers using SIGTRAN. IPSG supports routing keys in the form of SS7 Routes referencing IPSG M3UA linksets. IPSG is installed on an E5-ENET-B or SLIC card. IPSG can be implemented with just one card and expanded to 250 cards per system, as long as it does not exceed System TPS limitations (500K, 750K, or 1M).

The IPSG feature provides conforming M3UA functionality that behaves more like other LIMs, providing the following benefits:

  • The IPSG-application M3UA operational model equates Linkset (LS) and Application Server (AS). It equates a Signaling Link (SLK) with an AS-ASP (Routing Context + Association) instance. This allows each AS-ASP instance to be administered as a signaling link.
  • A new signaling link type, IPSG-M3UA, can be assigned to linksets having up to 16 signaling links.
  • Each IPSG card will host up to 128 signaling links.
  • Each IPSG card will host up to 128 SCTP associations. A maximum of 16 IPSG-M3UA signaling links can be assigned to a single association.
  • The adjacent point code (APC) of the IPSG-M3UA linkset is the point code assigned to the Application Server serviced by the linkset. The IPSG-M3UA linkset does not require a fake adjacent point code.
  • Each IPSG-M3UA signaling link can have a single IP connection, unlike the former IPGWx signaling link which can have up to 50 IP connections.
  • The state of the IPSG-M3UA signaling link will be based on the states of the assigned IP connection and AS-ASP instance. If the IP connection is unavailable for traffic, then the IPSG-M3UA signaling link will also be unavailable. If the AS-ASP instance is not available, then the IPSG-M3UA signaling link will also be unavailable.
  • Multiple IPSG-M3UA signaling links (up to 16) can share one IP connection, as long as all of the IPSG-M3UA signaling links and corresponding IP connection are hosted by the same card. This enables multiple SS7 variant support across a single IP connection.

Performance Intelligence Center (PIC)

The PIC platform, integrated with EAGLE, provides tools to capture network traffic data and convert it into useful business intelligence for troubleshooting, managing traffic, roamers, services, and revenues. With its powerful and configurable filtering, PIC sorts through the data to create comprehensive dashboards and reports for all departments within the service-provider company. PIC includes a comprehensive array of performance- and revenue-management capabilities that provide reliable real-time or historical information based on network traffic.

The PIC is based on industry-standard network protocols, and provides one platform for all network technologies including Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and IMS. It supports many different protocols including SS7, CLASS, SIGTRAN, IN, INAP, GSM, CDMA, CAMEL, WIN, MMS, SMPP, WAP, POP3, SMTP, FTP, and HTTP.

For more information on PIC, contact your Sales Representative.

Integrated Message Feeder (IMF)

The IMF is an integrated site collector that provides integrated data acquisition in conjunction with the EAGLE. IMF connects to the EAGLE via Ethernet and monitors signaling links on the EAGLE including LSL, ATM HSL, SE-HSL, M2PA and M3UA.

IMF allows remote access for administration and troubleshooting, and provides backup and upgrade capability, database management, and traffic management of captured signaling information.

IMF hardware supports NEBS 3 for central office environments. IMF provides a redundant LAN architecture for interface reliability and an N+1 server architecture in case of a single server failure within the managed subsystem.

For more information on IMF, contact your Oracle Sales Representative.