GL Launches Signal System 7 Analyzer With INAP Capability Set 2

GL Communications launched its Signal System 7 (SS7) protocol Analyzer with Intelligent Network Application Part (INAP) Capability Set 2 (CS-2) designed to facilitate intelligent features to be added such as toll free numbers, number portability and pre-paid telephone calls without disturbing dual way communications and switching functionality within networks, according to the company.

SS7 is a collection of rules, which include INAP signalling protocol, that define the way voice communication and related equipments such as telephones are used, connected to each other, and controlled over significant distances within circuit switching or Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) frameworks. It is used to set up and disconnect telecommunication circuits by moving the desired data to a different packet switched network and returns the related PSTN line to a steady state. Some other popular uses are for translating numbers, prepaid billing techniques and short messaging services.

“GL's SS7 Analyzer support of INAP Protocol (Capability Set-1 and Capability Set-2) makes is complete for any SS7 analysis function,” said Karthik Ramalingam, senior manager at GL. “With the addition of INAP CS-2 decoding, GL's SS7 Analyzer can now support decoding of SCF initiated trigger management, GVNS service support, explicit ISDN supplementary service feature interaction support, service compatibility checks, general User to Service Interaction (UTSI), and extended BCSM support.”

The SS& Protocol Analyzer gathers and displays summary details, call trace views, statistics, and hex dump to enable the recorded data to be interactively reviewed. It shows in tabular formats Message Transfer Part (MTP) -1, MTP-2, and SS7 message types along with called and calling numbers, and INAP information.

The Signalling Connection Control Part data it displays is used for analysing and controlling call routing, traffic movement, sub-networks functionality, error rectification methods, and call connectivity optimization.

It can decode mobile application part and common alerting protocols from GSM and GPRS networks. It strips bare comprehensive call data to expose minute details of calls such as start time, stop time, duration, and origin and destination geographical position lock down.

SS7 is called Common Channel SS7 (CCSS7) in North America and known variously as C7, number 7 and CCIS7 in European nations.