System and method for transporting IN/AIN signaling over an internet protocol (IP) network

Abstract

A system and method for transporting IN/AIN signaling (e.g., SS7 signaling) over an IP-based network using Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP), wherein a peer-to-peer protocol adaptation (PPA) structure is provided at a signaling node. The PPA structure includes an interworking functionality between an MTP3 layer and the SCTP messaging, and operates to provide a symmetrical MTP2 adaptation interface therebetween. The PPA interface functionality facilitates the implementation of network management capabilities included in the MTP3 layer such that the advantageous features of SS7 signaling are retained in the SCTP transport. The MTP2 adaptation interface functionality is processed locally with respect to the signaling node, rather than backhauling the associated signaling to an external node via an IP connection. The PPA structure may be provided at any signaling node operable to establish a virtual link across an IP connection such as, for example, a signaling gateway, an IP-compliant SCP or STP, et cetera.

1 . A telecommunications network element, comprising: 
 a first structure operable to effectuate signaling communication over a signaling network using a signaling protocol;    a second structure operable to transport said signaling communication across a packet-switched network using an Internet Protocol (IP)-based transport protocol, said IP-based transport protocol including a plurality of IP-based messages; and    a peer-to-peer protocol adaptation (PPA) structure associated with said first and second structures, said PPA structure operating to convert said signaling communication between said signaling protocol and said IP-based messages, said PPA structure including functionality to facilitate said first structure to locally process said signaling protocol's signaling messages.    
   
   
       2 . The telecommunications network element as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said signaling protocol comprises an access signaling protocol.  
   
   
       3 . The telecommunications network element as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said access signaling protocol comprises Q.931 protocol associated with at least one of an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) and Primary Rate Interface (PRI) media.  
   
   
       4 . The telecommunications network element as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said signaling protocol comprises a common channel signaling protocol.  
   
   
       5 . The telecommunications network element as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said common channel signaling protocol comprises Signaling System No. 7 (SS7) protocol associated with switched circuit network.  
   
   
       6 . The telecommunications network element as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said switched circuit network comprises a wireline telephony network.  
   
   
       7 . The telecommunications network element as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein switched circuit network comprises a wireless telephony network.  
   
   
       8 . The telecommunications network element as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said IP-based transport protocol comprises Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP).  
   
   
       9 . The telecommunications network element as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said PPA structure includes means to convert transmission sequence numbers used by said SCTP protocol to message sequence numbers used by said SS7 protocol.  
   
   
       10 . The telecommunications network element as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said message sequence numbers used by said SS7 protocol include forward sequence numbers.  
   
   
       11 . The telecommunications network element as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said message sequence numbers used by said SS7 protocol include backward sequence numbers.  
   
   
       12 . The telecommunications network element as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said PPA structure includes means for generating User Data messages based on Message Signal Units provided by said SS7 protocol, said User Data messages being operable to be transported by using said SCTP protocol.  
   
   
       13 . The telecommunications network element as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said PPA structure includes means for generating Link Status messages based on Link Status Signal Units provided by said SS7 protocol, said Link Status messages being operable to be transported by using said SCTP protocol.  
   
   
       14 . The telecommunications network element as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said PPA structure includes mapping means to maintain a map between an SS7 communication link and its corresponding SCTP association.  
   
   
       15 . A telecommunications network, comprising: 
 a first network portion operable to transport signaling messages using Signaling System No. 7 (SS7) protocol;    a second network portion based on Internet Protocol (IP), said second network portion being operable to transport said signaling messages using Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP); and    a signaling gateway disposed between said first and second network portions, said signaling gateway including a peer-to-peer protocol adaptation (PPA) structure operable to interwork between said SS7 protocol and SCTP messaging, wherein said PPA structure provides a Level 2 Message Transfer Part (MTP2) interface between a Level 3 MTP (MTP3) layer of said SS7 protocol and said SCTP protocol, said PPA structure including functionality to locally process functions associate with an MTP2 layer.    
   
   
       16 . The telecommunications network as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said signaling gateway is coupled to a signaling endpoint (SEP) disposed in said first network portion.  
   
   
       17 . The telecommunications network as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said signaling gateway is coupled to a Signal Transfer Point (STP) disposed in said first network portion.  
   
   
       18 . The telecommunications network as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said signaling gateway is coupled to a Signal Switching Point (SSP) disposed in said first signaling network.  
   
   
       19 . The telecommunications network as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said signaling gateway is coupled to an IP-signaling point (IPSP) disposed in said second network portion.  
   
   
       20 . The telecommunications network as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein said IPSP comprises an IP-based Service Control Point (IPSCP).