Introduction

Chapter 1

This chapter is designed to provide the student with an

introduction to the course

OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this chapter the student will be able to:

• Describe the concept of Vertically and Horizontally

integrated networks.
• Describe the rationale behind the structure of the course.
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1 Introduction
Table of Contents

Topic Page

MODERN NETWORK ARCHITECHURE.............................................. 1

INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................ 1
NEXT GENERATION NETWORKS ............................................................................... 2
THE CORE NETWORK ................................................................................................. 3

COURSE STRUCTURE ........................................................................ 4

INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................ 4
SIGNALING IN VERTICALLY INTERGRATED NETWORKS ....................................... 4
SIGNALING IN HORIZONTALLY INTERGRATED NETWORKS ................................. 6

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MODERN NETWORK ARCHITECHURE

INTRODUCTION
Over the last few years or so, a major change for modern
telecommunications networks has been the shift from a
Vertically Integrated network model to a Horizontally integrated
network model. This fundamental modification has significant
implications for network signaling and consequentially for how
this course is structured.

In essence; network implementations can be loosely classified as

either Vertically Integrated or Horizontally Integrated (refer to
Figure 1-1.

Vertical Integration Horizontal Integration

Services

Services/Applications
Data/IP Networks
PSTN/ISDN

PSTN/ISDN

Networks
Data/IP
PLMN

PLMN
CATV

CATV
Connectivity

Access Transport
& Switching Networks

Figure 1-1 Vertically Integrated and Horizontally Integrated

network design models.

Vertically integrated networks are optimized for a particular

service category and typically offer a single service or set of
closely related services. The PSTN and PLMN are examples of
vertically integrated networks.

However, the rapid convergence of telecom and datacom

technologies has lead to the integration of vertical networks into
multi-service (or next-generation) networks that provide reliable
and real-time communications for all service types. To simplify
backbone network design and enable incremental upgrade as
new technologies are commercialized, a layered approach has
been taken to the design of the next-generation networks. This
approach is known as a Horizontally integrated network.

Vertically and Horizontally integrated networks are discussed

further in Chapter eight.

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NEXT GENERATION NETWORKS

The figure below illustrates the layered approach applied to next
generation Wireless networks (that is, WCDMA Systems) and
an identical concept applies for Wireline networks (for example,
ENGINE Integral Network 1.0).

Service Enablers
Services/ Application
Application Servers
Application
Layer Servers
MSC SGSN GMSC/Transit
Server Server HLR/AuC/FNR Server
Control
Layer SGW

PSTN/
Connectivity MGW ISDN
Layer
Internet
GSM MGW Intranets
EDGE GGSN
WCDMA

Control
User data

Figure 1-2 Layered Core Network Model Showing the Logical

Network Nodes

In the horizontally integrated network model, each layer

provides a particular function independent of other layers.

The Connectivity layer provides transport functionality. The key

nodes located in the Connectivity layer are the Media Gateways.

The Control layer provides control functionality and consists of

various Control servers that control the Media Gateways.

The Services/Application layer provides services and

applications via Application Servers and Service Capability
Servers.

A more detailed description of Figure 1-2 is provided in chapter

eight.

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THE CORE NETWORK

The term ‘Core Network’ is typically used to describe the core
components of the Control and Connectivity layer. Thus, in this
course we will examine the Signaling between the core nodes of
the Control and Connectivity layers. In addition, to complete
the picture various ‘access’ signaling for the Radio networks is
provided. For example BSSAP for GSM and RANAP for
WCDMA Systems.

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COURSE STRUCTURE

INTRODUCTION
As Figure 1-2 illustrated, the one Core Network can server GSM
radio networks, EDGE radio networks and WCDMA radio
networks. However, in this text we will consider GSM to be a
vertically integrated network and the next generation network as
a horizontally integrated network

The course is thus structured into two halves. The first half of
the course covers the traditional SS7 (Signaling System 7)
signaling associated with the GSM vertically integrated
network.

The second component discusses the signaling associated with

the horizontally integrated Core Network.

SIGNALING IN VERTICALLY INTERGRATED NETWORKS

These chapters deal with the GSM network. The signaling
discussed is entirely focused on SS7 and in particular that for
the GSM switching system.

Introduction to Signaling (2)

This chapter provides an initial introduction to
telecommunications signaling and SS7.

From this point on, the approach used is ‘bottom-up’. Whereby

we begin at the bottom of the SS7 model and work our way up
each layer, until the full picture has been described.

MTP (3)
This chapter provides the description of MTP (Message Transfer
Part). MTP is the building block for the other SS7 layers and
provides a common transport system supporting reliable
transmission of signaling messages.

ISDN User Part (4)

The fundamental principle of SS7 is that signaling ‘User Parts’
communicate with other ‘User Parts’ using the MTP transport
services. This chapter introduces and discusses the first User
Part - ISUP (ISDN User Part).

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Signaling Connection Control Part (5)

Up until this chapter we have entirely discussed signaling
related to specific call-circuits. However, for advanced
telephony applications, such as mobile and intelligent networks,
special database nodes (e.g. HLR, SCP, SDP, etc.) are required.
These nodes are not a part of the traditional ‘call’ path and
hence non-call-circuit related signaling is required.

SCCP provides a mechanism to support non-circuit related

signaling and User Parts; in particular MAP and INAP utilize
the services provided by SCCP.

Transaction Capabilities Application Part (6)

TCAP provides standardized protocol capabilities that user parts
utilize. In particular, TCAP provides standardized dialogue
handling functions designed to interface with current and future
user parts. The rationale behind this structure is to make the
design and implementation of new users parts more economical.

Mobile Application Part (7)

GSM is the most widely subscribed mobile telephony system
and in this chapter the signaling protocol related to the GSM
switching system is discussed. In this chapter participants begin
to ‘put the entire picture together’ – GSM nodes exchange
signaling information via the MAP User Part, utilizing TCAP,
SCCP and MTP.

IN Protocols (8)
The Intelligent Network adds advanced services to telephony
networks and has a specific application part INAP (Intelligent
Network Application Part). This chapter provides a general
overview of IN and it’s signaling protocol features.

Other Protocols in GSM (8)

To allow participants to more fully appreciate the GSM
Switching System signaling supporting signaling protocols for
the Base Station system are briefly outlined in this chapter.

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SIGNALING IN HORIZONTALLY INTERGRATED NETWORKS

These chapters discuss the signaling protocols utilized within
horizontally integrated networks. The specific next generation
networks addressed are WCDMA Systems and Engine Integral
Network.

Introduction to WCDMA Systems Signaling Architecture (9)

This chapter provides an overview of the WCDMA Systems
Core Network. The details of the specific signaling protocols are
discussed in subsequent chapters.

Introduction to ENGINE Integral Network Signaling Architecture (10)

This chapter provides an overview of the Engine Integral
Network. The details of the specific signaling protocols are
discussed in subsequent chapters

Chapter 8 and Chapter 9 essentially cover the same material and

introduce the same concepts. However, chapter 9 addresses the
concepts from the WCDMA Systems perspective and chapter 10
from the Engine Integral network perspective.

Signaling transport in horizontally integrated networks (11)

This chapter provides an overview of the signaling transport for
horizontally integrated networks. With the introduction of
horizontally integrated networks the narrowband MTP of SS7 is
no longer suitable and an MTP variant more suited to the
broadband architecture is introduced.

ATM Adaptation Layer 2 Signaling Q.2630 (12)

The Connectivity layer connectivity for CN2.0 consists of ATM
transport connections and AAL2 is utilized to provide bearer
services for both voice and data. This chapter discusses the
signaling protocol (Q.2630) developed to support voice and data
services over ATM AAL2. This chapter is specific to WCDMA
Systems.

PNNI signaling for the ENGINE Integral Network (13)

The ENGINE Integral Network uses PNNI as the bearer
protocol in lieu of Q.2630. This chapter is specific to the
ENGINE Integral Network

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The Bearer Independent Call Control (BICC) (14)

In horizontally integrated networks the control plane is separate
to and independent of the transport/traffic plane.

This chapter covers the Bearer Independent Call Control (BICC)

and discusses how Control Servers communicate with one
another to order to set-up call connections.

The Gateway Control Protocol (GCP) (15)

This chapter covers the GCP and discusses how the Control
Servers communicate to Media Gateways in order to set-up call
connections.

Signaling for packet mode services (16)

This chapter discusses the use of SS7 for packet mode services
in GPRS and WCDMA Systems networks

Signaling for the WCDMA Radio Access Network (17)

This chapter provides an overview of the signaling protocol
used for the WCDMA RAN – RANAP.

Signaling Interwork (18)

This chapter builds on the individual components discussed in
previous chapters and provides an explanation of the interwork
between protocols for both WCDMA systems and ENGINE
Integral Network. Call set-up scenarios respectively.

For WCDMA Systems, the interwork between BICC, Q.AAL2,

RANAP and GCP in a typical circuit mode call setup scenario is
covered.

For EIN 1.0, the interwork between BICC, PNNI, Access

Signaling and GCP in a typical circuit mode call setup scenario
is covered.

Other Radio Access Network and Core Network signaling protocols

(19)
This chapter covers the signaling modification made to BSSAP
for the GPRS network.

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