Method and apparatus for distributed MTP Level 2 architecture
AssigneeNortel Networks Limited
InventorsGuy G. Mousseau, John H. Yoakum
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for distributing the SS7 Message Transfer Part Level 2 (MTPL2) between a Media Gateway and a Signalling Gateway in a Voice over IP Switch is disclosed. The distribution of the MTP Level 2 stack allows data links in a fully associated SS7 network to be terminated on the Media Gateway and SS7 messages to be exchanged between the Media Gateway and the Signalling Gateway over an IP backbone.
Claims11
A method providing distributed Message Transfer Part (MTP) functionality over an Internet Protocol (IP) network, said method comprising:
- at a first media gateway:
- receiving conventional MTP signaling units from a first network element;
- removing repeated MTP signaling units from said MTP signaling units received;
- either before or after said removing, encapsulating received MTP signaling units into data packets to form a reduced signaling unit packet stream;
- and
- transmitting said reduced signaling unit packet stream to a signaling gateway;
- receiving at said signaling gateway said reduced packet stream at said signaling gateway;
- transmitting packets encapsulating MTP signaling units to one of said first media gateway and a second media gateway, said transmitted packets being responsive to said received reduced signaling unit packet stream;
- receiving at said one of said first media gateway and said second media gateway said packets transmitted by said signaling gateway;
- and
- at said one of said first media gateway and said second media gateway, re-creating conventional MTP signaling units based on said routed packets and transmitting said re-created conventional MTP signaling units to one of said first network element and a second network element.
A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) switch providing a distributed Message Transfer Part Level 2 (MTPL2) protocol, said VoIP switch comprising:
- a plurality of media gateways, each of said media gateways in communication with a conventional SS7 physical link, said conventional SS7 physical link in communication with a network element, each of said media gateways further comprising:
- an SS7 receiver receiving conventional SS7 signaling units and interfacing with said conventional physical link;
- an SS7 transmitter for transmitting conventional SS7 signaling units from said media gateway to a network element over said conventional physical link;
- an IP transmitter for forming and transmitting IP packets corresponding to conventional SS7 signaling units complying with Message Transfer Part Level Two (MTPL2) protocol, said IP packets being transmitted over said IP network to said signaling gateway;
- and
- an IP receiver for receiving IP packets corresponding to conventional SS7 signaling units complying with said MTPL2 protocol, said IP packets being received from said IP network from said signaling gateway;
- a signaling gateway, said signaling gateway comprising:
- an IP transmitter for routing IP packets corresponding to conventional SS7 signaling units complying with Message Transfer Part Level Two (MTPL2) protocol, said IP packets being transmitted over said IP network to one of said media gateways;
- an IP receiver for receiving IP packets corresponding to conventional SS7 signaling units complying with said MTPL2 protocol, said IP packets being received from said IP network from one of said media gateways;
- and
- a controller controlling the functions of said signaling gateway and said media gateways;
- and
- an IP network providing IP communication between said plurality of media gateways and said signaling gateway.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.