The Copperbelt University

SCHOOL OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER ENGINEERING
IS 212 INTERNET TECHNOLOGIES
ASSIGNMENT 1

NAME: CLEMENCY CHIFUNDO MICHEAL

SURNAME: NJOBVU
PROGRAM: BSc. INFORMATION SYSTEMS
SIN: 18121550
LECTURER: Dr. SAMPA NKONDE
Question 1
1. Distinguish the two types of signaling in telecommunication networks and give the pros and
cons of each of the distinct signaling types.
The two types of signaling are Channel Associated Signaling (CAS) and Common Channel
Signaling (CCS).
Channel Associated Signaling (CAS), also known as per-trunk signaling, is a form of digital
communication signaling. As with most telecommunication signaling methods, it uses routing
information to direct the payload of voice or data to its destination. With CAS signaling, this
routing information is encoded and transmitted in the same channel as the payload itself.
While A Common Channel Signaling network provides signaling message transfer for
participating Common Channel Signaling Switching Offices (CCSSOs), databases, and
operator systems. It is a packet-switched communication network that allows call control and
transaction messages from the voice and data networks to be transferred on communications
paths that are separate from the voice and data connections.
The following are the pros and cons of each signaling type.
Channel Associated Signaling pros;
 is inexpensive to implement
 can be used on any transmission medium.
Its cons include;
 Fraud— “phone freaks” can build boxes to play call setup and teardown tones.
 Interference is possible between signaling tones used by the network and frequencies
of human speech patterns.
 Speed—call setup and teardown is slower, less efficient use of resource
Common Channel Signaling (CCS) pros are;
 The call setup is fast.
 There is no interference between signaling tones by network and frequency of human
speech pattern
 Voice trunks are used more efficiently—others can use them during call setup.
 Allows better control over fraud.
 Supports enhanced services such as Signaling caller identification and voice or data
identification.
The cons for CCS include;
 It’s expensive to implement due to use of additional subnetwork.
 here is no inherent testing of speech path by call setup signaling. As a result, it
requires explicit call continuity checks or elaborate continuity test procedures are
needed.
 Requires new features to be secure in a competitive multioperation environment
2. Briefly explain the SS7 working principle

SS7 is a set of protocols allowing phone networks (Out-of-band signaling) to exchange the
information needed for passing calls and text messages between each other and to ensure
correct billing. It also allows users on one network to roam on another, such as when
travelling in a foreign country. Operators deploy SS7 services over a dedicated higher signaling
rate of 56 kbps and 64-kbps. SS7 uses centralized databases and services, achieves reliable
connections through network management, and is secure because of its isolation from end users
through the dedicated network. SS7 signaling is reliability and flexible.
3. Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) provides a general framework for standardization and
defines a set of layers and services provided by each layer. With the aid of a schematic
diagram, explain how the SS7 Protocol compares with the OSI model and clearly explain the
functions of the layers.

The SS7 protocol stack can be compared to the OSI model. The physical, data link and
network layers of the OSI model match Message Transfer Part (MTP) levels one to three in
the SS7 stack. Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP) is on layer four, like OSI’s
transport layer. Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) can be compared to OSI
layers five and six, and Mobile Application Part (MAP) and Intelligent Network Application
Part (INAP) sit at the uppermost layer of the SS7 architecture.

1. Physical layer - To transmit bits over a medium To provide mechanical and electrical
specifications.
2. Data link - To organize bits into frames To provide hop-to-hop delivery.
3. Network - To provide internetworking To move packets from source to destination.
4. Transport layer - The transport layer builds on the network layer to provide data
transport from a process on a source machine to a process on a destination machine.
5. Session layer - To establish, manage, and terminate the session.
6. Presentation layer- To translate, encrypt and compress data. Also convert data into
proper format.
7. Application layer - To allow access to network resources.

4. Clearly define the functionalities of Service switching point (SSP), Signaling transfer point
(STP) and Service control point (SCP). Also define the SS7 link types.

 Service switching point (SSP) is an end-point used by a telecommunications system such

as telephone switches and performs call processing on calls that start, tandem or end at
that site. SSPs can be connected to one another using Signaling System No.7 (SS7) links.
SSPs may produce or receive SS7 messages for transferring call-related information.
They may also send queries to service control points (SCPs) in order to discover the
methods for processing a service request or call.
The SSPs can be used for functions like enhanced routing services, virtual private
networks (VPNs), number portability, call screening, personal number service, tele-
voting and Internet call management.
  Signal Transfer Point is used in a SS7 network. The STPs transfer SS7 messages
between interconnected nodes based on information contained in the SS7 address fields.
The STP is connected to adjacent SEPs and STPs via signaling links. The STPs Does not
offer termination services and are paired to ensure redundancy.
STP’s support any-to-any signaling connectivity between SS7 and IP SIGTRAN
interfaces for maximum network integration flexibility. The STP offers all the standard
features and functionality expected of an STP solution, including Gateway Screening and
Global Title Translation, while also offering extended capabilities and features such as
Signaling Gateway and Point Code Emulation
 SCP IS A physical or virtual node within the intelligent network, the Service Control
Point (SCP) contains the active database of customer records. This database is actively
queried from either the Service Switching Points (SSPs) or Service Platform Trigger
Points (STPs) within the network to seek and obtain service-completion information. The
SCP queries the service data point (SDP) which holds the actual database and directory.
SCP, using the database from the SDP, identifies the geographical number to which the
call is to be routed

Question 2
1. Signaling information is passed over the signaling link in form of messages, which are called
signaling units (SUs). Explain the three types of SU’s.

The three signaling units includes the Message signal units (MSUs), Link status signal units
(LSSUs) and Fill-in signal units (FISUs).
Message Signal Units
MSUs are the workhorses of the SS7 network. All signaling associated with call setup and
teardown,
database query and response, and SS7 management requires the use of MSUs. MSUs provide
MTP protocol fields, service indicator octet (SIO) and service information field (SIF). The
SIO identifies the type of protocol (ISUP, TCAP) and standard (ITU-TS, ANSI). The SIF
transfers control information and routing label.
The functionality of the MSU lies in the contents of the service indicator octet (SIO) and the
service information fields (SIF). The SIO is an 8-bit field that contains three types of
information:
• Four bits to indicate the type of information contained in the service information field
(referred to as the service indicator).
• Two bits to indicate whether the message is for use in a national or international network.
• Two bits to identify the message priority. Not used to control the order of transmittal, but
used when network is congested to determine if a message can be discarded. Value is from 0–
3, with 3 the highest priority.
Link Status Signal Unit
LSSUs communicate information about the signaling link between the nodes on either end of
the link. This information is contained in the status field of the signal unit. (See Figure 4-4.)
They signal the initiation of link alignment, quality of received traffic, and status of
processors at either end of the link. LSSUs do not require any addressing information because
they are only sent between signaling points.
 Fill-in Signal Unit
FISUs do not carry any information; they simply occupy the link when there are no LSSUs or
MSUs. FISUs support the monitoring of link traffic because they undergo error checking.
They can also be used to acknowledge the receipt of messages using backward sequence
number (BSN) and backward indicator bit (BIB).
2. What are some of the features of SS7 over IP?
The following are some of the SS7 over IP features.
 SS7-over-IP has a high Quality of Service (QoS) including redundancy and security
 SS7-over-IP networks offer increased capacity.
 SS7-over-IP solves the throughput limitations, thus allowing SMS Center, Home
Location Register, and other equipment to support heavy SS7 traffic needs.
 Flow Control.
 In-Sequence Delivery of Signaling Messages within a single control stream
 Identification of the originating and terminating signaling points.
 Identification of voice circuits.
 Error detection, re-transmission and other error correcting procedures.
 Controls to avoid congestion on the internet.
 Detection of status of peer entities.