SUNRISE TELECOM

SS7 Simulation & Testing

Simulation Suite for SS7 Calls & Traffic Generation
Application Note

Technology Overview SS7 is now merging with TCP/IP to

SS7 is a globally adopted protocol for allow integration between traditional
out-of-band signaling systems, and telephony and Internet-Intranet
supports critical applications such as: networks by transporting voice and

Sunrise Telecom • interaction with network databases video in IP packet-based format.

SS7 Simulation • mobile services

• network maintenance and The Sunrise Telecom Solution
Platform Solutions
administration Sunrise Telecom has developed a
• advanced call features such as call comprehensive set of emulation suites
waiting, call forwarding, three-way to test different protocols for PSTN
calling, congestion and priority including ISDN, SS7, and Analog.
management, toll-free applications This Application Note addresses the SS7
and toll services simulation suite.
• database information exchange The current hardware platforms that
between network elements and support the SS7 Simulation suite are:
NeTracker & 3GMaster • NeTracker® / 3GMaster® 1000-DX and
wireless services such as wireless
roaming and mobile subscriber 6000-QX
authentication
SS7 Simulation Suite
The network elements involved in
In contrast to other protocol analyzers
SS7 networks, such as SSPs (Signaling
on the market, Sunrise Telecom’s
Switching Points), STPs (Signaling
solutions offer not only full-featured
Transfer Points) and SCPs (Signaling
protocol analysis, but integrated SS7
Control Points) are usually connected
simulation as well.
in a redundant topology to ensure
signaling integrity and availability even
if one or more signaling links fails.

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This allows the user to simulate realistic traffic to run over • Programmable ANSI Carrier Identification Code
the network (or equipment) being tested while at the same - Symbolic names for signaling links and for linksets
time monitoring all the traffic and performing measure- • Programmable Call Profiles with:
ments such as call tracing, protocol decoding, traffic statis- - Traffic type: either Terminated or Originated Calls or
tics, Call Details Record (CDR) generation, network traffic both
analysis and even performance response measurements. - Call duration
Supported Protocols - Idle time between Calls
The suite supports the following protocols: - Calls per second
• ITU/ETSI ISUP - Enable/Disable Service Script function (to generate
• ANSI ISUP audio traffic)
• China ISUP • Random selection of activation-deactivation time
• User-programmable parameters for the main signaling
General Features: capabilities messages
NeTracker, 3GMaster and STT-MSA platforms support the • Selectable incoming call behavior
following features:
• From 1 to 32 E1/T1 trunks Simulation Modes
• From 31 to 992 simultaneous real speech calls The following simulation modes are available:
• Up to 32 programmable Traffic Destinations • SP Simulation: generates from one to more than two
(OPC-DPC couples) millions ISUP calls per hour to test / stress the signaling
• SP-to-SP simulation elements in an SS7 network. The equipment is well-
• 32 programmable linksets suited to test the System under Test (SuT) under virtually
• 256 signaling links per test any signaling traffic load condition.
• SP Simulation with Bearer channels (Trunk Tester): allows
General Features testing over the signaling and the voice (TDM) channels
by sending pre-recorded .wav files over the time slots
Configuration
used as traffic channels or used for sending/receiving
Thanks to their intuitive and easy-to-use GUIs, configura-
tones. User can select and program the Bearer channels.
tion of point codes, signaling links, link-sets, called/calling
This simulation mode supports from 350,000 to over
numbers and other parameters necessary to simulate SPs on
1,700,000 calls (with speech) per hour, depending on call
the NeTracker or STT-MSA takes just a few minutes, rather
duration and the QoS testing performed.
than hours.
The SS7 simulation suite supports the following features:
• Programmable Phone Numbers per Traffic Destination,
on external files
• National and International call profiles
• Programmable Release
Cause Codes
• Selectable CIC as Incom-
ing, Outgoing or Bi-direc-
tional
• Sequential or random use Example of a complex scenario
of CIC and Phone Numbers
• Programmable number of
calls per second (CPS) per
Traffic Destination

Traffic model setup

 SS7 Simulation & Testing

Sending Voice: service script function Call Detail Record
The Service Script function allows users to generate voice CDRs are provided for each call generated and/or received.
traffic using pre-recorded .wav files or customized audio The CDR-to-frame function automatically recovers all the
files on the PCM, to simulate real voice conversation or related signaling frames and shows the entire call flow in a
tones (DTMF) generation/reception. The same audio file can graphical format while the Frame-to-CDR function auto-
be transmitted several matically recovers the CDR related to a selected signaling
times in the same audio message. Audio Playback function is available for each call
call. Audio files can also for which the recording was enabled.
be transmitted and re-
ceived back for voice path
testing. Voice samples are
based on G.711. DTMF
tones can be transmitted
and received for testing
automated voice services.
Intrusive QoS
Example of a script
Measurement
The Service Script also allows
intrusive Quality of Service measurements.
Loop-back voice calls are generated so that audio files are A CDR and its frames

sent and then received back.

Statistics
Comparing the source audio files and received audio files,
A complete set of statistics (in tabular and graphical for-
it is possible to evaluate the voice quality using the PESQ
mats) covers all the main protocol events:
algorithm thus providing a MOS score for each call.
• Signaling messages: a dedicated statistic is provided for
Non-Intrusive QoS Measurement every signaling protocol stack (MTP2, MTP3, ISUP)
The NiQA (Non-intrusive Quality Assessment) algorithm is • Calls: a dedicated statistic allows for call completion
designed to assess the listening quality of live customer analysis
traffic. It is also possible to measure and analyze voice • Disconnection causes: several dedicated statistics provide
impairments over G.711 voice streams into PCM time slots. reasons why some calls or sessions were not successfully
established
SS7 Simulation Results • Signaling links: dedicated statistics provide information
When the simulation is running, the SS7 simulation suite on signaling link utilization and physical layer alarms.
provides a unique set of analysis tools that includes: Graphical display shows status of all signaling links,
Trace whether in-service
Protocol Trace with full message decoding, custom trace or out-of-service.
and graphical ladder diagrams. • QoS: statistics on
jitter and MOS
scores are based
on programmable
thresholds

Statistics and charts

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Signal Analyzer Ordering Information
The Signal Analyzer Package allows post analysis of the Suites and Protocol Packages
audio files recorded over the unit. The package includes: Part Number Details
• Complete signal spectrum analysis OPT-SS7-TT Signaling Point Emulator with ISUP Call
• Signal comparison capabilities Simulation with Voice Traffic Generation
• 3D signal represen- over the Bearer channels. Includes the
service script environment to create interac-
tation
tive tones and audio files send and receive
• Scripting language sequences
for programming
analysis
Options
Part Number Details
OPT-PESQ Intrusive QoS Analysis based on ITU P.862
Signal Analyzer (PESQ) algorithm
OPT-NiQA Non-Intrusive Impairments Measurement
Analysis Tools: Filters And Triggers and Analysis over PSTN (TDM flows) and
Filters are available for both Trace and CDRs. Any number VoIP (RTP flows) with an algorithm based
on Psytechnics’ technology used in ITU
of filters with multiple conditions can be set. Triggers allow
P.563
creation of an advanced trap system that combines proto- OPT-SIG-AN Signal Analyzer Package for post analysis
col events, counters and timers. Triggers are easily config- of the audio files recorded over the unit
ured with a graphical editor.

All other suites, protocol packages, options & accessories:

Applications
Please contact your local Distributor or Sales Representative.
The SS7 ISUP Simulation suite has several potential ap-
plications for product designers, manufacturers and service
providers. The main applications include:
• NGN switch and Gateway installations
• Equipment in production environments
• Call Completion analysis
• Call Route testing
• Verification of telephone-matrix: SPs or PBX
• Testing of VoIP, CTI and SS7 Gateways
• Perform end-to-end QoS testing by running PESQ algo-
rithms over the sent and received speech files

For more information or a directory of sales offices: [email protected] www.sunrisetelecom.com

© 2006 Sunrise Telecom Incorporated. All rights reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice. All product and company names are trademarks of their respective corporations.
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