Methods and systems for communicating SS7 messages over packet-based network using transport adapter layer interface

• US 20050286502A1
• Filed: 07/19/2005
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tekelec
• Original Assignee: Tekelec
• Inventors: Brendes, Dan Alan, Sprague, David Michael, Benedyk, Robby Darren
• Granted Patent: US 7,616,659 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/50 Testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/103 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/104 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1043 Gateway controllers, e.g. media gateway control protocol [MGCP] controllers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/085 specially adapted for interworking of IP-based networks with other networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/32 Architecture of open systems interconnection [OSI] 7-layer type protocol stacks, e.g. the interfaces between the data link level and the physical level
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/325 in the network layer [OSI layer 3], e.g. X.25 H04L69/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/326 in the transport layer [OSI layer 4] H04L69/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/066 where the auxiliary connection is via an Internet Protocol network interworking of signalling system number 7 (SS7) with Internet Protocol-based session control protocols H04M7/1265, H04M7/127
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0025 Provisions for signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0045 involving hybrid, i.e. a mixture of public and private, or multi-vendor systems

Abstract

A transport adapter layer interface (TALI) includes messages, processes, and packet structures for sending and receiving SS7 information over a stream-oriented connection, such as a TCP/IP connection. For example, the TALI interface includes test messages for testing the status of a connection and allow and prohibit messages for enabling and disabling service data communications without invoking a TCP handshaking procedure. The TALI interface also includes SYNC and LENGTH fields for facilitating extraction of individual message packets over a stream-oriented connection.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring the status of a stream-oriented connection used to communicate SS7 messages between SS7 and Internet protocol (IP) nodes, the method comprising:

(a) establishing a first stream-oriented connection for communicating SS7 messages between a first signaling node and a second signaling node;

(b) transmitting a first message encapsulated in an IP packet over the first stream-oriented connection;

(c) listening for a reply to the first message over the first stream-oriented connection; and

(d) in response to failing to receive the reply within a predetermined time period, treating the first stream-oriented connection as being disabled.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising in response to failing to receive the reply within the predetermined time period, attempting the re-establish communications over the first stream-oriented connection.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined time period is less than a TCP disconnection timeout value.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting a first message includes transmitting a TALI test message and listening for a reply includes listening for a TALI allow or prohibit message.

5. The method of claim 1 comprising, in response to receiving the reply, determining a round trip time (RTT) between the first and second signaling nodes.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein determining a round trip time includes:

(a) reading a local timer value and inserting the local timer value in the first message;

(b) reading the local timer value when the reply is received;

(c) reading a timer value from the reply; and

(d) computing the RTT based on the difference between the timer value in the reply and the local timer value when the reply was received.

7. The method of claim 1 comprising inserting a local transport adapter layer interface version number in the first message.

8. A computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions embodied in a computer-readable medium for performing steps comprising:

(a) establishing a first stream-oriented connection for communicating SS7 messages between a first signaling node and a second signaling node;

(b) transmitting a first message encapsulated in an IP packet over the first stream-oriented connection;

(c) listening for a reply to the first message over the first stream-oriented connection; and

(d) in response to failing to receive the reply within a predetermined time period, treating the first stream-oriented connection as being disabled.

9. The computer program product of claim 8 comprising in response to failing to receive the reply within the predetermined time period, attempting the re-establish communications over the first stream-oriented connection.

10. The computer program product of claim 8 wherein the predetermined time period is less than a TCP disconnection timeout value.

11. The computer program product of claim 8 wherein transmitting a first message includes transmitting a TALI test message and listening for a reply includes listening for a TALI allow or prohibit message.

12. The computer program product of claim 8 comprising, in response to receiving the reply, determining a round trip time (RTT) between the first and second signaling nodes.

13. The computer program product of claim 12 wherein determining a round trip time includes:

(a) reading a local timer value and inserting the local timer value in the first message;

(b) reading the local timer value when the reply is received;

(c) reading a timer value from the reply; and

(d) computing the RTT based on the difference between the timer value in the reply and the local timer value when the reply was received.

14. The computer program product of claim 13 inserting a local transport adapter layer interface version number in the first message.