Method for processing an internet protocol (IP) encapsulated signaling system seven (SS7) user part message utilizing a signal transfer point (STP)
AssigneeTekelec
InventorsDavid Michael Sprague, Dan Alan Brendes, Venkatarmaiah Ravishankar, Paul Andrew Miller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and systems for transmitting user part messages between signaling system seven (SS7) signaling points over an internet protocol (IP) network include receiving, at a signal transfer point, a first SS7 user part message. The first SS7 user part message can be received from a first SS7 signaling point, such as a service switching point (SSP). The first SS7 signaling point is encapsulated in a first IP packet. The first IP packet is transmitted to a second SS7 signaling point over an IP network.
Claims2
A method for processing an Internet protocol (IP) encapsulated signaling system seven (SS7) user part message utilizing a signal transfer point (STP), the method comprising:
- at a first module within an STP having a distributed internal processing architecture Including a plurality of modules being connected together via a bus, the first module being associated with a bi-directional IP signaling link:
- (a) receiving an IP-encapsulated SS7 user part message transmitted from a first SS7 signaling point over the bi-directional IP signaling link;
- (b) removing an IP header from the message;
- (c) reading, using a message transfer part (MTP) layer 3 routing function associated with the first module, at least message transfer part (MTP) layer 3 information from the message and, based on the MTP layer 3 routing information, selecting a second module associated with a bi-directional SS7 signaling link to with the message should be forwarded;
- and
- (d) forwarding the message from the first module to the second module via the bus.
A computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions embodied in a computer-readable medium for performing steps comprising:
- at a first module within an STP having a distributed internal processing architecture including a plurality of modules being connected together via a bus, the first module being associated with a bi-directional IP signaling link:
- (a) receiving an IP-encapsulated SS7 user part message transmitted from a first SS7 signaling point over the bi-directional IP signaling link;
- (b) removing an IP header from the message;
- (c) reading, using a message transfer part (MTP) layer 3 muting function associated with the first module, at least message transfer part (MTP) layer 3 information from the message and, based on the MTP layer 3 routing information, selecting a second module associated with a bi-directional SS7 signaling link to with the message should be forwarded;
- and
- (d) forwarding the message from the first module to the second module via the bus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.