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Configuring SS7

Purpose

The table below is a summary of basic SS7 configurations you must perform in addition to the other CSP configurations. A detailed configuration sequence follows this summary.

Before you begin

Acquire the Originating Point Code (OPC) and Adjacent Point Code (APC) before configuring the SS7 stack.

Configuring SS7

Use the following configuration sequence to bring SS7 signaling links and voice circuits in service. The steps below are used for an SS7 PQ card or SS7 Series 3 card. More details are provided about each step following the table.

Step | Action | API Message(s)
--- | --- | ---
1 | De-Configure Spans | Assign Logical Span ID (0x00A8) message
2 | Assign and configure spans | Assign Logical Span ID T1/E1 Span Configure
3 | Configure SS7 license | Product License Download
4 | Configure SS7 cards | CCS Redundancy Configure
5 | Configure Signaling Stacks | SS7 Signaling Stack Configure
6 | Configure Signaling Link Sets | SS7 Signaling Link Set Configure
7 | Configure Signaling Links | SS7 Signaling Link Configure
8 | Configure Signaling Route(s) | SS7 Signaling Route Configure
9 | Assign Voice Circuits (CICs) | SS7 CIC Configure
10 | The following entities must be brought in service in this order and messages must sent separately for each: 1. Spans 2. Signaling links 3. CICs | Service State Configure (This message must be sent for each entity specifying the correct AIB.)

De-Assign Spans

If the spans were previously configured for a different protocol, de-assign the Logical Span ID of the ISDN card by setting the slot and spans (logical and physical) to 0xFF. Use the Assign Logical Span ID (0x00A8) message.

Assign and Configure Spans

Assign Logical Span IDs to spans on T1, E1, or J1 line cards you want to use for SS7 with the Assign Logical Span ID (0x00A8) message.

Set the span format to Clear Channel by using the T1 Span Configure or E1 Span Configure messages. This step prevents line cards from attempting to extract channel associated signaling from the spans.

Configure SS7 Cards

Configure SS7 cards in the system as primary or secondary using the CCS Redundancy Configure message. Independent cards are assigned as a primary card. In a redundant pair of cards, one is assigned as the primary card and the other as the secondary.

Subsequent SS7 configuration messages are sent only to primary SS7 cards, which forward the configuration to the secondary card if there is one.

• When configured as a pair, SS7 cards operate in a primary/secondary mode with respect to the call control user part. Signaling links operate in a load-sharing mode.

• Configuration information can be retrieved with the CCS Redundancy Query message.

See Configuring SS7 Card Redundancy for more information.

Example using CCS Redundancy Configure

The following example assigns a single SS7 card as a primary card. See the CCS Redundancy 0x005B message for more details.

Trace: H->X FE 00 0D 00 5B 00 SN NI 00 02 01 01 SA 01 01 SB 00 CS

SN = Sequence Number

NI = Node ID

SA = Slot of first SS7 Card

SB = Slot of second SS7 Card (If there is no second card, this value should be 0xff)

CS = Checksum

Configure Signaling Stacks

Configuring multiple signaling stacks allows the CSP to interface with multiple SS7 networks. Use the SS7 Signaling Stack Configure message to create a stack consisting of three layers: MTP, Call Control User Part (ISUP or TUP), and L3P. If using TUP, you must also configure L3P TUP. Each layer is assigned a variant (ITU-TS or ANSI).

The CSP supports up to four signaling stacks, identified by a Stack ID ranging from 0x00 to 0x03. There is no limitation on how you can allocate SS7 stacks among SS7 cards. For example, you can configure multiple signaling stacks on a single SS7 card or you can configure one signaling stack on each SS7 card, up to a maximum of four stacks per CSP or multi-node system.

Signaling stacks are assigned to SS7 objects (CICs, links, link sets, routes) as each object is configured.

Configuration information can be retrieved with the SS7 Signaling Stack Query message.

Example using SS7 Signaling Stack Configure

The following example sets the OPC of the CSP to 0x111111 and configures all four modules to ITU. See the API Reference for more details on the SS7 Signaling Stack Configure message.

Trace: H->X FE 00 16 00 5C 00 SN FF 00 01 21 02 01 00 00 11 11 11 04 01 01 04 01 03 01 05 01

Configure Signaling Link Sets

A signaling link set is an abstract path between the CSP and an APC (Adjacent Point Code), to which physical signaling links are added. The same signaling stack must be assigned to all links in a link set. A typical configuration consists of two link sets.

Signaling links in a link set are "load sharing," that is, signaling traffic is distributed equally on the links to optimize efficiency.

When you configure multiple stacks on an SS7 card, the Link Set IDs assigned to each signaling stack must be different. For example, if Link Set ID is assigned to Stack 1, it cannot also be assigned to Stack 2.

However, if you configure multiple signaling stacks on different SS7 cards, the Link Set IDs assigned to the signaling stacks are independent. For example, Link Set ID 1 can be assigned to Stack 1 on one card and Stack 2 on another card.

To assign Link Set IDs, use the SS7 Signaling Link Set Configure API message. Use the SS7 Signaling Link Set Query message to retrieve configuration information.

Example using Signaling Link Set Configure

The following example uses the SS7 Signaling Link Set Configure message to define Link Set 0 going to APC 0x00 0x22 0x33 0x44.

Trace: H->X FE 00 0F 00 5D 00 SN FF 00 01 1E 02 00 00 00 22 33 44

Configure Signaling Links

A signaling link is a point-to-point connection between two SS7 point codes (in this case, an CSP and an STP). The SS7 Signaling Link Configure message assigns a physical location in the CSP (timeslot) and a previously configured Signaling Link Set to a signaling link.

Each SS7 card supports either 2, 4, 8, or 16 signaling links depending on which model you purchase. For redundant card pairs, Link IDs 0x00–0x0F must always be assigned to the primary card; Link IDs 0x10–0x1F must always be assigned to the secondary card.

When you configure multiple stacks on an SS7 card, the Link IDs assigned to each signaling stack must be different. For example, if Link ID is assigned to Stack 1, it cannot also be assigned to Stack 2.

However, if you configure multiple signaling stacks on different SS7 cards, the Link IDs assigned to the signaling stacks are independent. For example, Link ID 1 can be assigned to Stack 1 on one card and Stack 2 on another card.

Figure 2-5 Configure Signaling Links

Example using SS7 SIgnaling Link Configure

The following example of the SS7 Signaling Link Configure defines span 1/channel 23 as a signaling link on Link Set 0, using a data rate of 64 Kbps.

Trace: H->X FE 00 14 00 5E 00 SN FF 00 02 1F 03 00 00 00 0D 03 00 01 00 00 00 00

Configure Signaling Routes

A signaling route defines a path between a signaling stack and a DPC. Each SS7 card supports up to 255 routes, identified by a Route ID ranging from 0x00 to 0xFE. Use the SS7 Signaling Route Configure message to assign the Route IDs.

The SS7 Signaling Route Configure message contains a Destination ID field, which defines the relationship of a signaling stack and a specific DPC. Each SS7 card supports up to 64 distinct Destination IDs
(0x00–0x3F). All routes between a specific signaling stack/DPC pair must use the same Destination ID. Multiple stacks on the same SS7 card must have unique Destination IDs.

When you configure multiple stacks on an SS7 card, the Route IDs assigned to each signaling stack must be different. For example, if Route ID is assigned to Stack 1, it cannot also be assigned to Stack 2.

However, if you configure multiple signaling stacks on different SS7 cards, the Route IDs assigned to the signaling stacks are independent. For example, Route ID 1 can be assigned to Stack 1 on one card and Stack 2 on another card.

Example using SS7 Signaling Route Configure

The following example of the SS7 Signaling Route Configure assigns a route to DPC 0x00 0x33 0x44 0x55. See the API Reference for the format of SS7 Signaling Route Configure.

Trace: H->X FE 00 14 00 5F 00 SN FF 00 01 20 05 00 00 00 00 01 00 33 44 55 00 09

Assign CICs

Voice circuits controlled by SS7 Signaling Links are identified by a Circuit Identification Code (CIC). A specific voice circuit is identified in the network by its unique DPC-CIC combination. The SS7 CIC Configure message assigns a DPC/CIC code pair and a User Part (ISUP or TUP) to physical voice circuits. See Configuring Virtual CIC Format for virtual configuration.

• CICs can be assigned to any timeslot in the system.

• CICs in a CIC group must be on the same span.

• CICs and signaling links can reside on the same span.

• Use the SS7 CIC Query message to retrieve configuration information.

Figure 2-6 Assign CICs

Example using SS7 CIC Configure

The following example configures a CIC Group on a T1 span. CIC Group 1 is assigned to span 0, with channel 0 assigned as the base CIC (CIC 0). The remaining channels on the span (1–23) are assigned CIC values 1–23.

Trace: H->X FE 00 15 00 6A 00 SN FF 00 01 14 07 00 01 00 00 18 00 01 02 03 01

Adding CIC Information

This feature is used to add Circuit Identification Code (CIC) information in the Request for Service with Data and Outseize Control messages. The SS7 Address Information data ICB 0x66 defines this information. To enable this feature, on a per channel basis, configuration byte 0x2E of PPL component L3P CIC (0x000F) must be set to 0x01using the PPL Configure message.

Once this feature is enabled, ICB 0x66 provides the addressing information in the Outseize Control message depending on a positive or negative acknowledgement from the Status (MSB, LSB) field. If the Status field indicates a positive acknowledgement (ACK) 0x10, the ICB data is added. Note that the State field is not present. If the Status field indicates a negative acknowledgement (NACK), the ICB data is added after the State field. The State field indicates the state of the call processing channel when a NACK is received.

This feature is backward compatible with earlier releases.

Bring Spans, CICs, and Signaling Links in Service

When all the configuration is complete, use the Service State Configure message to establish a connection with the network and to begin call processing. Upon successful completion, the CSP sends the host a DS0 Status Change message with a status of in service.

See Signaling System Number Seven.
A number that addresses a node in a SS7 network.
The point code of the node adjacent to “own node” (SS7)
Range of channels provided by T1 or E1 transmission service. A physical span is a group of channels taking up a single physical wire. A logical span is a group of channels taking up less than a single logical wire, or carried over more than one physical wire.
Digital communications link - voice, data, and video at a 1.544 Mbps rate (24 64 Kbps channels)
A digital communications link - voice, data, and video at a 2.048 Mbps rate; 30B/2D or 31B/1D (ISDN); non-North American version of T1.
See Common Channel Signaling.
Link that connects to the same node
See Circuit Identification Codes.
The condition of a component at a given instant. The current "context" of a PPL object, such as Idle, Seizing, Answered. In PPL files, a State is represented by a circle.
See Address Information Block.
See Integrated Services Digital Network.
Signaling technique where the full channel bandwidth is used for data transmission, while the framing and control bits (signaling) use a separate channel. No control or signaling is performed on this path. See B8ZS and ZBTSI.
See Message Transfer Part.
Setting up, monitoring, and tearing down calls.
See Integrated Services Digital Network User Part.
Telephone User Part
International Telecommunications Union (UN)
American National Standards Institute. ANSI administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system for the
telecommunications industry. More details on these standards may be
viewed at www.ansi.org.
Destination Point Code
Outgoing call setup during real-time call processing on a specific channel.
See Information Control Block.
See Programmable Protocol Language.
Most Significant Bit
Least Significant Bit
Positive acknowledgment to a message
Negative acknowledgement to a message.