SS7 network planning and forecasting tool

A data processing system for planning a Signaling System 7 (SS7) network, the system comprising:

• an input/output (I/O) device;
• a memory configured to store instructions that are executable by a processor;
• the processor, in communication with the memory, the processor being configured to execute the instructions to:
• receive pending network reconfiguration plan data, the pending network reconfiguration plan data comprising data regarding pending plans to reconfigure a current network configuration of the SS7 network by deleting, rehoming, or replacing at least one network element of the SS7 network, or adding a network element to the SS7 network;
• generate a new network configuration for the SS7 network based upon the pending network reconfiguration plan data, the new network configuration comprising a plurality of network elements;
• calculate a new link utilization percentage for each of the plurality of network elements in the new network configuration of the SS7 network;
• compare the new link utilization percentage for each of the plurality of network elements in the new network configuration to current utilization parameters for corresponding network elements of the current network configuration;
• determine whether any of the new link utilization percentages for the plurality of network elements in the new network configuration exceed the current utilization parameters for the corresponding network elements of the current network configuration;
• if it is determined that any of the current utilization parameters for the corresponding network elements in the current network configuration are exceeded, determine whether an override is established for the exceeded current utilization parameter;
• if the override is established for the exceeded current utilization parameter, determine to not recommend an immediate reconfiguration of the SS7 network to the new network configuration;
• if there is no override established for any exceeded current utilization parameter, recommend the immediate reconfiguration of the SS7 network to the new network configuration;
• and
• if it is determined that none of the current utilization parameters are exceeded, determine to not recommend the immediate reconfiguration of the SS7 network to the new network configuration.

A non-transitory computer-readable memory comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, make the processor operable to:

• receive pending network reconfiguration plan data, the pending network reconfiguration plan data comprising data regarding pending plans to reconfigure a current network configuration of the SS7 network by deleting, rehoming, or replacing at least one network element of the SS7 network, or adding a network element to the SS7 network;
• generate a new network configuration for the SS7 network based upon the pending network reconfiguration plan data, the new network configuration comprising a plurality of network elements;
• calculate a new link utilization percentage for each of the plurality of network elements in the new network configuration of the SS7 network;
• compare the new link utilization percentage for each of the plurality of network elements in the new network configuration to current utilization parameters for corresponding network elements of the current network configuration;
• determine whether any of the new link utilization percentages for the plurality of network elements in the new network configuration exceed the current utilization parameters for the corresponding network elements of the current network configuration;
• if it is determined that any of the current utilization parameters for the corresponding network elements in the current network configuration are exceeded, determine whether an override is established for the exceeded current utilization parameter;
• if the override is established for the exceeded current utilization parameter, determine to not recommend an immediate reconfiguration of the SS7 network to the new network configuration;
• if there is no override established for any exceeded current utilization parameter, recommend the immediate reconfiguration of the SS7 network to the new network configuration;
• and if it is determined that none of the current utilization parameters are exceeded, determine to not recommend the immediate reconfiguration of the SS7 network to the new network configuration.