Method and system using SS7 signaling control connection part (SCCP) in a distributed network having shared point codes
AssigneeTelefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
InventorsShyamal Prasad, Jeffrey Lucak
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Abstract
The invention provides a method, system and device for increasing the efficiency of distributed networks and for enabling SS7-over-IP signaling gateways to share point codes without loss of SS7 functionality. The invention provides for communication among SS7 and IP elements of a distributed network through IP signaling gateways adapted to share point codes. Included is the support of Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP) management functions across the distributed network system. Authoritative and non-authoritative network elements are used to manage subsystem status and SCCP message routing.
Claims32
In a distributed network system using SS7 elements that communicate over an IP (Internet Protocol) network through IP signaling gateways adapted to share point codes, a method of supporting Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP) management functions across the system, comprising the steps of:
- a non-authoritative signaling gateway transmitting a status query message to an SS7 element;
- receiving the status query message at an intervening authoritative signaling gateway;
- and
- the authoritative signaling gateway responding to the status query message;
- wherein a response to the status query message includes an indication of one or more subsystems in the system which are allowed or prohibited as reported by the SCCP management functions of an SS7 element of the system.
A telecommunications system for supporting Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP) management functions in a distributed network using shared point codes, comprising:
- one or more subsystems in the distributed network, each subsystem adapted to send an indication of its status to elements of the distributed network;
- a first plurality of signaling gateways having at least one non-authoritative signaling gateway adapted to transmit a status query message to an SS7 element of the distributed network;
- and
- a second plurality of signaling gateways, having at least one authoritative signaling gateway adapted to receive and respond to the status query message.
An SS7 system manager for use in a distributed network, comprising:
- a plurality of SS7 signaling gateways configured to support sharing of point codes across an Internet Protocol (IP) network;
- at least one authoritative SS7 signaling gateway for transmitting a Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP) management function of a subsystem;
- a Network Interface Function (NIF) for receiving the SCCP management function from the authoritative SS7 gateway and for broadcasting notification of subsystem state changes to the plurality of SS7 signaling gateways across the IP network;
- and
- a subsystem table updateable by the NIF for storing indications of subsystem states.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.