White Paper: SS7 Maintainability and Evolution to Diameter

Table of Contents
Introduction............................................................................................................. 3 SS7 Network Architecture Evolution........................................................................ 4 SS7 Initial Implemention Phase................................................................................ 4. North American SS7 Network Implementation................................................... 4 International SS7 Network Implementation........................................................ 4

SS7 Quasi Associated Network Phases..................................................................... 5 SS7 Core-Edge Network Architecture................................................................. 5 SS7 Core Network Architecture.......................................................................... 5.

SS7 High Speed Links.............................................................................................. 6 SS7 ATM Links................................................................................................... 6. SS7 Annex "A" Links......................................................................................... 6. SS7 SIGTRAN Links............................................................................................ 7

SS7 Network Maturity............................................................................................. 7 LTE/EPC/Diameter Network.................................................................................... 8 Diameter Network Transport (SCTP).................................................................. 8. Diameter Mesh Network................................................................................... 8. Diameter Router Network................................................................................ 10

SS7 Maintainability and Evolution to Diameter Issues and Concerns...................... 11 The SEGway Solutions Advantage........................................................................ 11 About PT ............................................................................................................ 13 About the Author.................................................................................................. 13 Acronyms ............................................................................................................ 14

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White Paper: SS7 Maintainability and Evolution to Diameter

Introduction
The current status of todays telecommunications signaling network can be described by two important characteristics the maturity of the Signaling System 7 (SS7) Network and the evolution from SS7 signaling to Diameter signaling, each providing benefits and challenges. Over the past 25+ years the SS7 network has become the most reliable, secure, and feature rich signaling methodology in telecommunications history. Any discussion of the mature nature of the SS7 network should include its evolutionary phases: mesh to quasi-associated network topology, Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) links to high speed links, high speed links to IP-SIGTRAN links, and the benefits each deliver to the SS7 network in general, and more specifically to the evolution to Next-Generation Networks (NGN). The longevity of the SS7 protocol, its associated network, and the equipment used within the network is exposing unforeseen challenges to service providers and equipment vendors. These challenges directly affect the core benefits of SS7 networks such as costs, reliability and maintainability all at a time when the desired focus is on the evolution to Diameter-based signaling networks. The evolution from SS7 to Diameter is being driven by advances in technology, the service providers desire to monetize the networks, and the subscribers insatiable demand for applications and their bandwidth requirements. Since the initial inception of SS7 there have been significant advances in telecommunication network technology, including the introduction of Internet Protocol (IP) into service providers networks thus driving the convergence between voice and data. This convergence has opened telecommunications networks allowing them to take advantage of protocol advances by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) including Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) and Diameter. As stated in the report What is it worth? by Recon Analytics , "The decline in voice revenues is a global trend. In eight out of the 14 countries analyzed, including the United States, competition was so intense that the voice revenues declined, while subscriber numbers increased and minutes of voice use remained roughly flat." The reduced voice Annual Revenue per User (ARPU) is forcing service providers to monetize their data network via evolution to Long Term Evolution/Evolved Packet Core (LTE/ EPC)/Diameter. Today, mobile network operators are faced with the challenges

Copyright 2012 Performance Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

White Paper: SS7 Maintainability and Evolution to Diameter

of building Fourth Generation (4G) LTE/EPC/Diameter networks to meet the demands of subscriber devices such as smartphones and tablets with the always-on applications they support. This subscriber demand is referred to as the Four Anys get any information, from anywhere, at anytime, from any device. This paper covers the evolution of the SS7 network and its subsequent evolution to LTE/EPC/Diameter networks. Emphasis is placed on the maturity of the SS7 network, the age of its associated equipment, and the impact both of these factors bring to the ongoing support of the network and its evolution to the LTE/EPC/ Diameter-based network.

SS7 Network Architecture Evolution

Since its initial deployment in the mid 1980s the SS7 network architecture evolved over time to address problems encountered with the network-based routing methodology. This evolution can be described in phases including: initial implementation, quasi-associated signaling, and high speed link. The initial phase of SS7 network deployment can be segmented in to the North American Implementation Phase and the International Implementation Phase due to regulatory and network topology issues.

SS7 Initial Implementation Phase

North American SS7 Network Implementation The initial deployment of SS7 in North America was characterized by network topology that included STPs for the routing of SS7 messages. This network architecture is discussed in the Quasi Associated Network section of this paper. International SS7 Network Implementation The track of international signaling evolution is quite different from that of North America due, in part, to the size of the networks, the starting point of the network, and the design of network elements. Typically, the size of the individual international telecommunications networks was much smaller than those in North America. The international switching equipment vendors incorporated some STP functionality into the each of the network elements. The network size, coupled with the differences in switching equipment, facilitated the implementation of an associated or mesh network. In the initial international implementation phase of

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White Paper: SS7 Maintainability and Evolution to Diameter

SS7, network elements were interconnected directly with each other to create a fully meshed network. As the network continued to grow with more traffic and more interconnected elements, network operators found that the management and administration of this meshed network became untenable and fraught with human related errors affecting network routing, address assignment, and security when interconnected to foreign networks.

SS7 Quasi-Associated Network Phases

The quasi-associated phase of SS7 network evolution is identified by the presence of STPs being incorporated within the network. Like most phases of SS7 network evolution this phase can also be subdivided for clarity. The two sub-phases of this evolutionary category are the more distributed Core-Edge topology and the centralized Core routing topology. SS7 Core-Edge Network Architecture This phase was built on a distributed architectural concept including network (core) and local (edge) STP pairs. The core STP pairs provided access to the companywide database services, aggregated connectivity to local STPs, and served as access points to other service providers. The edge STPs provided SS7 services and connectivity to all end offices and tandems within a geographical region. All requests for services that required database intervention were routed from the edge STPs to the core STPs and then to the appropriate database. SS7 Core Network Architecture The final phase of network evolution, todays network architecture, is totally centralized and is comprised of large core STPs providing all SS7 connectivity and database services such as 800, Number Portability (NP), Intelligent Network (IN), and Calling Name (CNAM). The evolution to this network configuration was influenced by governmental mandates to implement NP in both the wireline and wireless telecommunications market segments. The NP service required extremely large and fast databases that could be accessed from every end office in the network. To accomplish these requirements, a solution was developed that integrated the database within STP functionality. The operating companies determined that a large core STP with an included database was the most costeffective use of this expensive technology.

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White Paper: SS7 Maintainability and Evolution to Diameter

SS7 High Speed Links

As the number of SS7 network users and the amount of traffic continued to grow, the network became bandwidth and facility constrained due to the low speed link capabilities and the 16 link per linkset limit imposed by the protocol. The solution to this problem was to implement technological advances to overcome the limitation of TDM/DS0 based links. On the surface, the implementation of high speed links was simple just increase the bandwidth of the transmission facilities. However, because the SS7 protocol defines the entire message delivery mechanism from physical layer to the application layer, modifications to the protocol had to be made at both the physical and transport layers. SS7 ATM Links One methodology used for high speed links was to carry SS7 information using Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM). This methodology required the replacement of SS7 Physical Layer (Message Transfer Part 1) with ATM, and the replacement of the SS7 Transport Layer (Message Transfer Part 2) with Signaling ATM Adaptation Layer (SAAL). Based on the fixed width of ATM cells, the efficiency of ATM high speed links varied based on SS7 message size.

Short SS7 Messages are inefficient Messages approaching 48 octets are efficient Messages in excess of 48 octets are not as efficient

SS7 Annex A Links Another high speed link methodology was to utilize the entire bandwidth of a T1 (1.536 Mbit/s) or E1 (1.984 Mbit/s) transmission facility for the transport of a single SS7 signaling data link. This solution also requires modification to the SS7 protocol including Physical Layer (Message Transfer Part 1) and SS7 Transport Layer (Message Transfer Part 2) to accommodate the full bandwidth of the transport facility and a larger quantity of messages for both acknowledgment and retransmission.

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White Paper: SS7 Maintainability and Evolution to Diameter

SS7 SIGTRAN Links The final phase of network evolution was driven by a multitude of factors including ongoing bandwidth demands, need for facility cost reduction and migration to Next-Generation Networks. There were many issues that had to be addressed in order to place a real-time, network critical protocol over IP. The first obstacle was What transport protocol would be used on top of IP? Since, Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) had been around for quite a while it was the first to be investigated. A close look at TCP revealed the Head of the line blocking issue which would have to be overcome before using TCP for a 5 nines, real-time protocol. The next transport protocol studied was User Datagram Protocol (UDP). It was quickly determined that there would be too much work involved to overcome UDPs lack of guaranteed delivery. The final answer was to use the new IETF specified Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP). SCTP provided a solution to the problems of both TCP and UDP and addressed the needs to transport SS7 data using an IP centric methodology. The advantages of SCTP include the following:

Acknowledged Error Free Non Duplicated transfer of data Data Fragmentation single data message may be split into multiple SCTP messages Sequence Delivery of User Messages within Multiple Streams Bundling of Multiple User Messages into a Single SCTP Message Network Fault Tolerance using Multi-homing at either end or both

This solution also included the use of SS7 adaption layers to maintain the primitive interfaces to upper layers of the SS7 protocol eliminating the need to totally rewrite the SS7 protocol handling software. The SS7 network became the first large scale commercial network deployment of the SCTP protocol.

SS7 Network Maturity

The SS7 network, including its transport capabilities and protocol technologies, are mature, well established, and understood by telecommunications service providers worldwide. SS7 remains the preeminent standard of signaling for many operators providing network-based, revenue-generating services. With the large installed base, any change from the legacy SS7-managed networks to Next-Generation Networks such as LTE/EPC/Diameter or IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) will be

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White Paper: SS7 Maintainability and Evolution to Diameter

evolutionary, not a revolutionary. As a result of this prolonged technological shift, hybrid networks combining parts of both network SS7 and LTE/EPC/Diameter will be the standard for the near term.

LTE/EPC/Diameter Network
The mobile subscribers ever increasing demand for large volumes of bandwidth is driving the deployment of LTE/EPC/Diameter networks globally. Subscriber devices, such as smartphones and tablets with the always-on applications they support, are having a huge impact on a mobile operators ability to keep up with bandwidth demands and the associated signaling requirements. Eros Spadotto, of Telus, explained the signaling and bandwidth issues in his keynote speech for the IEEE conference in Ottawa, June 12, 2012. He said, The reality is that while our megabytes of traffic are increasing, the signaling from these devices is greatly overwhelming that. In fact, we can look at a period of time where our growth has been 100% year over year on payload, on how many megabytes, but our signaling has grown 2,700%. This signaling increase is changing the entire LTE/EPC/ Diameter deployment paradigm. Diameter Network Transport (SCTP) The first step in the planning and design of the LTE/EPC/Diameter network was to decide which transport protocol to use. Because the IEFT designed Diameter protocol to use the services of either TCP or SCTP on top of IP, network operators and vendors alike had to choose between the two. The reliability and survivability required in EPC made this choice relatively easy. Because the network required realtime, guaranteed sequence delivery of messages, the only choice was SCTP. SCTP also provided the added benefit of multi-homing thus adding to the reliability of the network. Diameter Mesh Network The architecture of the LTE/EPC/Diameter network (Figure 1) defines a large quantity of network elements, each with its own functionality. Each network element can have multiple interfaces to other elements based on the procedures and information exchanged. Additionally, the peer concepts of the Diameter protocol and the connection-oriented methodologies of SCTP, significantly increase the complexity and quantity of routing rules within the network. As the network

Copyright 2012 Performance Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

White Paper: SS7 Maintainability and Evolution to Diameter

continues to evolve and grow additional routing rules have to be provisioned in every network element. The routing complexity inherent within this meshtype network presents a twofold problem. First, the large task of maintenance and administration of the routing rules on individual nodes directly affects the consistency and scalability of the network. Second, placing the routing responsibility on the individual network elements can degrade the network elements ability to perform its primary function.

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Copyright 2012 Performance Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

White Paper: SS7 Maintainability and Evolution to Diameter

Diameter Router Network A network deployment including Diameter Routing Agents at both the core and edge of the network provides a more efficient and scalable architecture. By placing the Diameter Router in the core of the network, routing is centralized to reduce the quantity and complexity of inter-network and intra-network routing. Also, because the routing responsibility is removed from individual network elements, expensive resources are freed to perform their primary function thus reducing network wide capital expenditures.

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Figure 2. LTE/EPC Network with SEGway UDR

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White Paper: SS7 Maintainability and Evolution to Diameter

SS7 Maintainability and Evolution to Diameter Issues and Concerns

The age of the SS7 signaling network and its associated equipment are of great concern to network operators. These concerns are paramount to maintainability of the network and its service/revenue generating capabilities, all while the network is evolving to the NGN network model of LTE/EPC/Diameter. From the service providers point of view, these concerns are characterized by the following questions:

Has my current STP reached End of Life? Is my current STP vendor continuing to provide SS7/STP solutions? Is my current STP vendor requiring upgrades to their systems?

- Are these upgrades incremental? - Are these upgrades extensive? - Do these upgrades provide me an evolutionary path to NGN networks (LTE/EPC/Diameter)?

Am I facing ongoing support issues for my existing STPs?

The answers to these questions affect the core values of the SS7 network; the most reliable, secure, and feature rich signaling methodology in telecommunications history.

The SEGway Solutions Advantage

PTs SEGway portfolio includes IP-centric network elements and applications designed for high availability, scalability and long life cycle deployments. These solutions offer carriers and service providers extensive IP networking options, unrivaled in the industry with features such as high density signaling, advanced routing, IP migration, gateway capabilities, SIP bridge, and core-to-edge distributed intelligence. In addition, these carrier grade solutions provide lower cost of ownership from initial purchase through their entire product life-cycle deployment. The SEGway product portfolio provides the following unique advantages: Designed and architected for IP deployment: SEGway products are designed to be simply an extension of the IP network. The internal architecture of SEGway platforms includes intelligent IP backplanes for both internal and external communications. Also included in the design is an integrated, five-nines-reliable, gigabit Ethernet switch. The inclusion of the carrier grade Ethernet switch reduces the requirement for an expensive, external Ethernet switch or IP router ports.

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White Paper: SS7 Maintainability and Evolution to Diameter

Evolution to NGN networks: The addition of the SEGway Universal Diameter Router (UDR) to the SEGway product portfolio provides the most efficient, cost effective and high capacity evolution path from SS7 to LTE/EPC/Diameter-based networks. High processing capabilities: PTs SEGway STP platforms meet a variety of network requirements from very small to large and can support up to 4,536 links. Most environmentally friendly: The SEGway product portfolio has the lowest power consumption and heat generation of any signaling product available, thus reducing its carbon footprint. World Class Support: PT provides a vast array of support services including: network planning, engineering, installation, and training. These services are offered on an a la carte basis and can be tailored to meet individual customer requirements. The SEGway signaling solutions have been deployed international and domestic applications in wireless and wireline configurations all over the world, including the United States, Canada, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Brazil, Mexico, Azerbaijan, Japan, China, Africa, and many others. Vast arrays of standards-based protocols are supported including: SCTP, M2PA, M2UA, M3UA and SUA. Also supported are traditional TDM, ATM Annex A., SIP and Diameter.

Upcoming Paper
More information on the subject of maintaining the integrity of SS7 networks while evolving to LTE/EPC/Diameter will be provided in an upcoming Whitepaper titled Cap and Evolve A cost effective, efficient strategy for maintaining the integrity of the SS7 network while evolving to Next-Generation Networks (LTE/EPC/ Diameter). For more information about PT and the SEGway signaling solutions, or to schedule a demonstration, please contact sales@pt.com.

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White Paper: SS7 Maintainability and Evolution to Diameter

About PT (www.pt.com)
PT (NASDAQ: PTIX) is a global supplier of advanced network communications solutions to the service provider, government, and OEM markets. PTs portfolio includes IP centric network elements and applications designed for high availability, scalability, and long life cycle deployments. The industry-leading Monterey MicroTCA and IPnexus Application-Ready Platforms anchor the companys broad range of offerings. PTs SEGway Signaling Solutions provide affordable, high-density signaling, advanced Diameter routing for LTE and IMS applications, IP migration, gateway capabilities, and core-to-edge distributed intelligence, as well as features such as Number Portability and SMS Spam Defense. The SIPbased Xpress product family enables service providers to provision a wide range of revenue generating and churn-reducing applications in either cloud-based or captive architectures. PT is headquartered in Rochester, NY and maintains sales and engineering offices around the world.

About the Author

Tom Jenkins has over 42 years of experience in telecommunications. During his career, he has held positions related to SS7 Signaling including: Technical Support Manager, Manager of Product Management for STPs, International Sales Director for SS7 Test Equipment, and Vice President Sales and Marketing for SS7 Test Equipment. In 1997 Tom started Center Point Consulting, Inc., providing SS7, SIGTRAN, and SIP training to over 2500 students worldwide. Tom has been actively involved with telecommunications signaling including SS7, SIGTRAN, SIP and Diameter for 26 years. Tom has been working directly with the Diameter Protocol since 2008. Today, Tom is currently the Senior Director of Marketing at PT. You can contact Tom at twj@pt.com.

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White Paper: SS7 Maintainability and Evolution to Diameter

Acronyms
3GPP 4G AAA AS ATM CNAM DS0 E1 EIR EPC ePDG H-PCRF HPMN HSS I-CSCF IEEE IETF IMS IN IP LTE M2PA M2UA M3UA MME mTCA Third Generation Project Partnership Fourth Generation Authentication Authorization Accounting Application Server Asynchronous Transfer Mode Calling Name Digital Signal 0, 64kbps 2.048Mbps Equipment Identity Register Evolved Packet Core Evolved Packet Data Gateway Home Policy Control Rules Function Home Public Mobile Network Home Subscriber Server Interrogating Call Session Control Function Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Internet Engineering Task Force IP Multimedia Subsystem Intelligent Network Internet Protocol Long Term Evolution MTP2 User Peer-to-peer Adaptation Layer MTP2-User Adaptation MTP3-User Adaptation Mobility Management Entity Micro Telecom Computing Architecture MTP1 MTP2 NGN NP OCS OEM OFCS P-CSCF P-GW SAAL SCCP S-CSCF SCTP SGSN S-GW SIGTRAN SIP SS7 STP SUA T1 TCP TDM UDP UDR V-PCRF VPMN Message Transfer Part 1 Message Transfer Part 2 Next Generation Network Number Portability Online Charging System Original Equipment Manufacturer Off Line Charging System Proxy Call Session Control Function PDN Gateway Packet Data Network Gateway Signaling ATM Adaptation Layer Signaling Connection Control Part Serving Call Session Control Function Stream Control Transmission Protocol Serving GPRS Support Node Serving Gateway Signaling Transport Session Initiation Protocol Signaling System 7 Signaling Transfer Point SCCP User Adaptation Layer T-carrier 1, 1.544 Mbps Transmission Control Protocol Time Division Multiplex User Datagram Protocol Universal Diameter Router Visited Policy Control Rules Function Visited Public Mobile Network

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