Next-Gen Signaling Starts with SS7/Sigtran
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Behind every phone call you make or SMS you send, there’s a signal transmitting in the background, which is SS7/Sigtran. It is something that users may not be able to see, but it’s the element that runs the global telecom networks. SS7 was first standardized in 1980, but its development started way before to replace manual signaling.
At ComCode, we combine the strength of SS7 with the capacity of Sigtran to help operators build modern signaling systems. If you’re an MNO, MVNO, or enterprise carrier, our Ss7/SIGTRAN platform can enable faster, more efficient network deployment for messaging, roaming, and data.
What ComCode offers as a stack platform
ComCode offers an efficient, scalable, and feature-rich sigtran stack that uses the Linux kernel-based SCTP module. What it offers if following.
- M3UA: This is the user adaptation layer for MTP3 users, such as SCCP and ISUP.
- SCCP (Signaling Connection Control Part): SCCP adds advanced routing functions to SS7 to support more complicated services, such as mobile user location updates and toll-free number services.
- TCAP (Transaction Capabilities Application Part): TCAP is designated for managing the exchange of transaction-related messages, such as prepaid balance checks, mobile authentication, and mobile number portability.
- MAP (Mobile Application Part): MAP is used in mobile networks to provide services like SMS delivery and roaming. It manages communication between mobile devices and network elements.
- Provisioning Server (PS): This module is for provisiong each component of the Ss7/Sigtran software stack platform.
What are the features of the Ss7/Sigtran stack
The high-performance, feature-rich stack from ComCode offers the following key features.
- Modular approach – Each layer has been developed as a separate module. There is a message-based IPC mechanism between layers. This reduces the time to process each message.
- Redundant Architecture – The design is highly redundant. There can be multiple instances of the stack. Each stack has the full transaction capability to handle. The information among instances is in sync all the time. This enables scaling to any number of instances.
- Decoupled applications – The application is totally independent from the core stack. Even though there is a way to run an application on another host from the stack machine.
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- Rich Set of APIs – The platform offers a wide range of APIs. The APIs for provisioning, viewing poincode status, logs, tracing, alarms, etc.
- GUI – The graphical user interface uses the API to present all capabilities visually.
- Rich Set of APIs – The platform offers a wide range of APIs. The APIs for provisioning, viewing poincode status, logs, tracing, alarms, etc.
What is the SS7/Sigtran Stack?
The SS7 (Signaling System No. 7) stack is a set of protocols employed to establish and tear down telephone calls, manage mobile roaming, send SMS messages, and perform number translation and billing. It was originally designed for circuit-switched networks.
The following are the layers in the traditional SS7 protocol stack.
- MTP1 – Named as message transfer part 1. It defines the specification for the physical TDM interfaces, e.g E1 and T1.
- MTP2 – Message Transfer Part 2, defines the data link layer. Responsible for error-free and sequential transfer of messages between two directly connected nodes.
- MTP3 – Message Transfer Part 3. The network layer routes messages and maintains the peer point codes status. It do many more, like SLS-based link selection, change over, change back , congestion control, etc.
- SCCP Layer- Signaling Connection Control Part, does global title and SSN base routing.
- TCAP layer- Transaction Control Application Part, provides support for dialogue-based communication for the users.
- ISUP– The layer implements the ISUP call-related functionality.
- Application Layers – These use underlying SS7 layers to provide messages, procedures, encoding/decoding, etc. E.g GMS MAP, INAP etc.
Over time, the demand to abandon expensive, hardware-based signaling gave rise to Sigtran—a modern extension that allows SS7 messages to travel over IP networks. To achieve that, adaptation layers were developed. So that the application logic will not change, only the transport changes. Here is the list of adaptation layers.
- SUA – This is the SCCP user adaptation layer.
- M3UA – MTP3 user adaptation layer.
- M2UA – MTP2 user adaptation layer.
- M2PA – Mtp2 pere adaptation layer.
This progress means telecom operators can now carry legacy signaling protocols using internet-based systems without losing speed, quality, or security. When combined, the SS7 and Sigtran protocols form a stack that enables high-volume, real-time communication across global networks for both legacy systems and futuristic telecom services.
Breaking Down the Process of SS7/SIGTRAN Stack working
To fully understand the SS7/SIGTRAN stack, it’s important to know how it works. The SS7/SIGTRAN stack combines multiple layers of communication protocols, each with a distinct role.
- User Application: A user application can be any application that needs to implement a service flow over the SS7 network. It opens a dialogue with the peer node to send GSM MAP, INAP, or other protocol messages. In contrast, it can also receive a dialogue indication from a peer.
- TCAP Layer: It maintains transactions with peer nodes. It receives the dialogue and components request from the user application. Creates a transaction block and sends the messages to the SCCP layer. In contrast, if it receives a message from SCCP, it creates an incoming transaction control block and sends dialogue and component indications to the user.
- SCCP Layer: It acts as the transport layer of the OSI model. Responsible for global title translation and selecting the peer node.
- SIGTRAN Layer: This is equivalent to the network layer as per the OSI model. It maintains the status of the peer network application servers.
- SCTP (Stream Control Transmission Protocol): This protocol facilitates message transfer. It also has error-handling features for telecom networks.
ComCode’s Expertise in SS7/SIGTRAN
- Personalized Services: We provide bespoke SS7/SIGTRAN stacks that are programmed to meet the exact needs of your network.
- Easy Integration: Our SS7/SIGTRAN stack integrates readily with your existing network systems for a smooth transition with no disruptions in your services.
- Scalability: We engineer the stack in a way that it can scale with your business to handle increased traffic as your network grows.
- Full-Time Support: Our experts are available around the clock to offer assistance to make your network operational and secure at all times.
- Security Features: We incorporate advanced security measures to protect your network from vulnerabilities commonly found in SS7 signaling.
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Ss7/Sigtran Stack and user queries
Does the SS7 Stack Require Special Hardware?
No. The SS7 stack is a software-only solution that runs on standard Linux servers. It includes a fully integrated M3UA/SIGTRAN protocol stack built on kernel SCTP over IP.
Unlike traditional SS7 deployments, which relied on dedicated E1/T1 interface cards, the M3UA implementation communicates over standard Ethernet networking. This eliminates the need for specialized telecom hardware, making deployment simpler, more scalable and cost-effective.
Who Can Use This Software?
The software is designed for organizations that need to connect to mobile networks using SS7/SIGTRAN. It is suitable for:
- Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)
- Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs)
- A2P Messaging Providers
- SMSC Vendors
- USSD Service Providers
- Location-Based Service (LBS) Providers
- Roaming and Interconnect Providers
- Private Mobile Network Operators
- Telecom Solution Integrators
What telecom software applications can be built over SS7 software?
The number and types of applications are not fixed. There are many 3GPP specifications for application layers, each with multiple call flows. But still, the following are known network nodes over SS7.
- Home Location Register (HLR)
- SMSC
- Camel Gateway
- GGSN
- VLR
Which generations (3G, 4G-LTE or 3G) of network uses SS7?
At the application level, 3G is the generation that uses the SS7 protocol. While 4G/LTE or 5G are packet-only networks. The LTE uses Diameter in place of SS7, and 5G uses HTTPv2. But in many places, 3G exists along with the next-generation network. If there is a call, the phone falls back on the SS7 network for the call. In a pure data network, calls and SMSs are carried over the IMS network.