Intelligent Peripheral Formats for Intelligent Networks

1. Intelligent Peripheral Formats for Intelligent Networks M. S. Pinto – Graduate Center - CUNY

2. Intelligent Networks (IN) . Service-independent telecommunications network . Intelligence placed in computer nodes throughout the network . Capable to act appropriately in a changing environment IP Formats in INs Slide 2

3. SMS SCP SS7 STP STP IP SSP SSP Basic Architecture of a IN SMS – Service Management System SCP – Service Control Point SS7 – Signaling Network STP – Service Transfer Point IP – Intelligent Peripheral SSP – Service Switching Point IP Formats in INs Slide 3

4. Functions of the Components of INs • SSP: • . “switches” designed to interface with the IN user and SS7 signaling network • . routes service calls to Service Control Points via SS7 • IP: • . stand-alone computer or integrated with an SSP or SCP • . supplements the functions of a SCP • . installed to perform both voice and data services • . voice services: announcements, speech recognition, code conversion • . data services: protocol conversion, data rate conversion, video format IP Formats in INs Slide 4

5. Functions of the Components of INs • SCP: • . database that provides call handling information as response to SSP queries • . stores caller’s service profile • . supports multi-service operations • SS7: • . Network that controls functions for setting up and taking down service calls • . Allows communication between SCPs with SSPs • . Called Common Channel Signaling System No. 7, or SS7 for short IP Formats in INs Slide 5

6. Functions of the Components of INs • STP: • . signaling hub for the transfer of data packets between network nodes • . a network gateway, screening incoming messages based on their contents • . traffic controller, network manager, and message router • SMS: • . Supervision, remote operation/maintenance of SCPs, and software downloading • . Integrated in an operations support system to support network operations. IP Formats in INs Slide 6

7. OSI Model and SS7 Protocol Stack SS7 Layers: 4th: TCAP ( Transaction Capabilities Appl.Part) . INAP - Int. Network Appl. Protocol SCCP (Signaling Connection Control Part) ISUP (ISDN User Part) . TUP – Telephone User Part 3rd: MTP (Message Transfer Part Level 3) 2nd: MTP (Message Transfer Part Level 2) 1st: MTP (Message Transfer Part Level 1) IP Formats in INs Slide 7

8. Interworking between Internet and Intelligent Network Basic IN call: . Service logic programs in the SCP is executed using parameters passed by SSP . If needed, desired parameters are passed back to the SSP for further call processing . SRF (Specialized Resource Function), usually located in Intelligent Peripheral, invoked . IP take actions and information is passed back to SCP using INAP on top of SS7 . If needed, SCP pass back instructions to SSP to progress the call . SCP does not have direct interaction with the user IP Formats in INs Slide 8

9. Interworking between Internet and Intelligent Network Approach to IN services using Internet initiated services: . User can launch a call or other IN service by using his/her own web browser . No need to use a telephone handset . Need to have some method to convert the Internet originated messages to SS7 ones IP Formats in INs Slide 9

10. Service Scenarios for Internet Initiated IN Services • Internet Initiated Services to be converted into Circuit Switching Network (SS7): • . Request to Call – Click-to-Dial • . Request to Fax – Click-to-Fax • . Request to Hear Content – Click-to-Hear • . Internet Based Conference Calling Supervision – Add/drop parties for the call IP Formats in INs Slide 10

11. Intelligent Peripherals General-purpose computer that runs its own kind of service logic in order to execute complex services dialogs flexibly. Basic Architecture Service Logic Programs IP Formats in INs Slide 11

12. Protocols Supported by Intelligent Peripheral IP can be configured to handle several different protocols, as long as there exists the interfaces that link different networks. IP Protocols IP Formats in INs Slide 12

13. Protocols Supported by Intelligent Peripheral . Intelligent Peripherals may be connected to both SS7 and TCP/IP networks . Parameter is used to select the appropriate network for outgoing messages . When TCAP on Intelligent Peripheral receives a message, it knows which network sent it IP Formats in INs Slide 13

14. Issues regarding Intelligent Peripheral . IPs could become very important for Internet initiated services . It would act as a gateway converting TCP/IP data to CSN signaling . It could also include setting up the connections by itself . IPs would have to be implemented as a Service Node (SN) . IPs would be the whole “Intelligent Network” in one single node. Problems: . Fault Tolerance . Load Sharing . Non-vendor-independence . New protocols and middleware IP Formats in INs Slide 14

15. Conclusions . Uniform Digital Network (all traffic types) . Convergence between Circuit Switched Network and the Internet . Three phases of integration between IN and TCP/IP: . Integration at service management level . Integration at service control level . Integration at transport level . Protocols are being implemented at each level . These INAPs-like protocols are currently being used in the fields of education, medicine, multimedia, and home services IP Formats in INs Slide 15