Technical Brief

Signaling System Seven (SS7)

for the OmniVoXML Media Gateway
and the OmniVox3D Application Server
components of the APEX Multi-Service Platform
Rev 3.3 - July 2007

SS7 Module APEX Multi-Service Platform Technical Brief

Introduction
Signaling System #7 (SS7 or C7) is a standard telecommunications industry signaling
architecture for performing out-of-band signaling in support the set up, routing and information
exchange for telephony calls and messages in wire-line and wireless networks.
The SS7 module for the APEX Multi-Service Platform (APEX MSP) allows Service Providers
and Carriers worldwide to connect directly with the SS7 network and use the OmniVox3D
Application Server to take advantage of its high availability, reliability and performance. With
direct access to the SS7 network, Service Providers can deliver robust switching and routing
applications such as real time or prepaid billing, intelligent routing and call center redirection.
This SS7 Technical Brief provides a comprehensive overview of the functionality of the SS7
Module of the APEX MSP, as well as information on uses and applications.

Empowering Your SS7 Network with Media

By adding the SS7 Module to OmniVoXML in the APEX MSP, Service Providers are able to
rapidly add network enhanced services to existing SS7 networks. This in turn takes SS7
services from what was once proprietary systems into open standards based applications,
within the true open architecture environment of the OmniVox3D Application Server.
The SS7 Module minimizes the expense of implementing network enhanced services by
building on the investment already made in an SS7 infrastructure. The SS7 Module allows
Service Providers to implement ISUP, ISUP Loopback and SS7 Intelligent Node (IN) solutions.
The net result provides the most efficient solution for implementing enhanced services and inthe-network applications.
APEXs implementation of SS7 provides an alternative and cost-effective solution that combines
APEXs family of products with the open architecture technology building blocks of Dialogics
NetStructure SS7 products. This architecture allows APEX to offer a technologically rich
solution to Service Providers by providing a powerful, scalable SS7 network element capable of
deploying applications rapidly and processing millions of calls a day.
The OmniVox3D Application Server also provides a path for Service Providers wanting to
migrate existing PSTN traffic and applications to Packet Networks (IP). OmniVoXML can be
deployed as a multi-media gateway, switching sessions between different protocols such as
SS7, ISDN, SIP and H.323. It can also be used as an enhanced service platform for terminating
sessions and providing a variety of value-added services, including IP IVR applications, Voice
Mail & Unified Messaging, Automated Collect Calling, Multi-Party Conferencing, and hundreds
of others which can be created in OmniView, OmniVox3Ds Service Creation Environment.

APEX Voice Communications

SS7 Module APEX Multi-Service Platform Technical Brief

OmniVox3D Application Server Multi-Service-Platform

The OmniVox3D Application Server, OmniView Service Creation/OAM&P Environment and SIP
Session Manager are the core elements of the APEX MSP, the leading SIP Multi-Service
Platform.
The OmniVox3D Application Server provides unmatched stability and proven reliability with over
15,000 installations worldwide processing billions of calls.
A wide range of service-ready
applications are available including: Prepaid Calling, Unified Messaging, Automated Collect
Calling, Intelligent 800-Number Routing, among many others, along with the best-in-class
Service Creation Environment to provide a simplified, yet robust, method of implementing
Enhanced Services. Once an application is Designed and Developed, Deployment is made
simple through OmniViews browser-based OAM&P console.

Signaling Gateway (SG)

The SS7 functionality resides within OmniVoXML in the SS7 Signaling Gateway (SG)
component and utilizes Dialogics NetStructure SS7 technology as the basis for its ISUP/IN
implementations.

APEX Voice Communications

SS7 Module APEX Multi-Service Platform Technical Brief

(TS)
Telephone
Server

(SG)
SS7 Signaling
Gateway

(MS)
Media
Server

(XB)
Voice
Browser

OmniVoXM
L

It may run in a stand-alone APEX MSP configuration or it may be configured as a distributed

and redundant SS7 switching element interfacing with OmniVox3D Application Servers over a
wide geographical area. The OmniView OAM&P environment allows for even distributed
platforms to be managed centrally, using a single interface. Therefore, APEX provides a robust,
modular and scalable solution.

SS7 Technical Overview

SS7 functionality in OmniVoXML allows it to reside as a Service Switching Point (SSP) or as a
Signaling End Point (SEP) in an SS7 network. This allows Service Providers to provide high
performance, high density, enhanced media and routing applications within the SS7 network
cloud while maximizing existing SS7 network infrastructure.
OmniVoXMLs Signaling Gateway (SG) is a software module designed to drive Dialogics
NetStructure hardware solution. OmniVoXML provides its own ISUP stacks to give Service
Providers the flexibility needed to manage SS7 message and parameter support. Currently
supported SS7 specifications include:

Q.701-Q.703
Q.704-Q.707
Q.761-Q.764
Q.767
Q.771-Q.775

ITU-T MTP Level2

ITU-T MTP Level3
ITU-T ISUP
ITU-T ISUP for International Networks
ITU-T TCAP

T1.111.2-3
T1.111.4-7
T1.113
T1.114

ANSI MTP Level2

ANSI MTP Level3
ANSI ISUP
ANSI TCAP

APEX has successfully completed and passed SS7 homologation testing in various countries
around the world. It provides the experience required to implement OmniVoXMLs SG into
practically any type of SS7 or C7 network.
The SG, in conjunction with OmniView, OmniVox3D Application Servers Service Creation
Environment, also provides the flexibility required to configure variant message processing.
The APEX SS7 implementation allows real-time SS7 message and parameter assignment. This
can be used for Release Code assignment, delayed Answer (ANM) sending, Number
redirection and the customized handling of Suspend messages, just to name a few.

APEX Voice Communications

SS7 Module APEX Multi-Service Platform Technical Brief

The OmniVox3D Application Server leverages these SS7 capabilities to also offer other SS7
features including ISUP Loopback and Intelligent Network (IN) solutions in the mobile networks
via WIN/Camel. Please refer to other APEX Technical Briefs on these subjects:

APEX MSP ISUP Loopback Module Tech Brief

APEX MSP Architecture Tech Brief
APEX MSP OmniVox3D Application Server Tech Brief

SG provides for multiple configurations. This begins with an entry level configuration where
Service Providers can cost-effectively enter the SS7 network and goes to high resilient, fault
tolerant (99.999%) configurations which are designed on Dialogics NetStructure Signaling
Interface Units (SIU) and Fault Tolerant server technology from Stratus Technologies or NEC.

OmniVoXML and the Signaling Gateway (SG) Advantage

By providing SS7 functionality, OmniVoXML provides a standards-based interface into the
signaling network. This gives Service Providers a cost effective choice for providing enhanced
services in a true open architecture environment.
The flexible and open architecture of the OmniVox3D software coupled with OmniVoXMLs SS7
functionality allows Service Providers to easily develop new revenue-generating services for
their subscriber base as well as upgrade their existing services. With the added advantage of
OmniVoXMLs ISUP stack for ISUP messaging, Service Providers can also respond quickly to
specific SS7 message and parameter requirements of the diverse national variants of SS7
networks worldwide.
The easy to use and technologically feature-rich OmniVox3D Application Server, together with
the modular architecture of Dialogics NetStructure SS7 product family makes APEXs SS7
technology implementation an element of success in any network, anywhere.

Applications that benefit from SS7

Most applications may benefit from the decreased call setup time that the SS7 technology
provides. Some applications may also take further advantage of SS7s ability to provide
additional call-related information and its redirection capabilities. These applications include:
9 Advanced intelligent networking/intelligent networking: Network Access, Network Voice
Announcements, Call Center Routing
9 800/Free-Phone services, Premium Rate numbers, Intelligent Pre-Paid calling
9 Call Control/Call Routing: Migration of ISDN-based networks to SS7 or IP-based
networks
9 Unified Messaging
9 Video Messaging via H.264M

APEX Voice Communications

SS7 Module APEX Multi-Service Platform Technical Brief

Recommended configurations
APEX will present two recommended configurations for the SG SS7 module. The first is a
stand-alone configuration used typically for lower density, low cost and centralized solutions.
The second is a distributed configuration widely used for higher densities and more fault
tolerance. It can also be used for implementations that require Telephony Servers in multiple
geographic locations.
As stated, the SS7 functionality resides as a part of the OmniVoXML subsystem of the APEX
MSP. In the stand-alone or one box configuration, the OmniVoXML and its SS7 component
reside with all APEX MSP components in the same server.

SS7 Datalink

E1/T1
Bearer
Channels

SS7
Signaling
Gateway
OmniVoXML

OmniVox3D
Application
Server

Telephony
Server

STP
PTSN

APEX Multi-Service Platform (MSP)

Stand-alone One Box Configuration

Figure 1

Figure 1 illustrates the one box solution that allows the SS7 signaling link and E1/T1 bearer
channels to be connected to a single APEX Multi-Service Platform (APEX MSP) running the
OmniVoXML Media Gateway and OmniVox3D Application Server Software. This configuration
is implemented with the Signaling Gateway residing in the same box as all of the components
in the APEX MSP. This is the most cost-effective configuration as it requires a single server for
both the media and signaling plains. The server may be a standard server or a Fault Tolerant
Server from Stratus Technologies or NEC.
Figure 2 (below) illustrates a distributed APEX MSP where the SS7 Signaling Gateway (SG) is a
component separated from other APEX MSP components including the telephony media
component of OmniVoXML. This single SS7 server is able to service multiple application
servers. The SS7 signaling links are connected to SG and the E1/T1 bearer channels are
connected to the APEX MSP Telephony Servers. The information from the SS7 signaling links
is sent to the other MSP components, including those with the E1/T1 bearer channels via
TCP/IP. These components can reside in the same switch room or can be geographically
separated and connected via a Wide Area Network. In either case, OmniView allows these
platforms to be managed centrally and from a single central interface.

APEX Voice Communications

SS7 Module APEX Multi-Service Platform Technical Brief

Figure 2

In both of the above configurations the Signaling Gateway has a Dialogic NetStructure SS7
board that allows for the connection of up to 4 SS7 signaling data links. The delivery of the SS7
signaling links in either configuration may be implemented using the following two methods:
9 A dedicated E1/T1 trunk goes directly into the SS7 board and carries no bearer Channels
configured on the E1/T1.

9 Via a V.35 DS0 connection directly into the SS7 board.

APEX Voice Communications

SS7 Module APEX Multi-Service Platform Technical Brief

Additionally, the delivery of the SS7 signaling link to a single box configuration may be
implemented by the following method:
9 Within the Bearer E1/T1 trunks connected to Intels Media Resource boards. In this case
the SS7 signaling link is stripped out from the E1/T1 bearer trunk and routed (via the CT
Bus) to the SS7 board.

LAN / WAN

In distributed SS7 environments that require five-nine (99.999%) reliability and a high degree of
fault tolerance, the Signaling Gateway in OmniVoXML with Dialogic NetStructure board is
replaced by two Dialogic Signaling Interface Units (SIU), which allow a single SS7 end point to
be shared by both SIUs (Figure 3).

Figure 3

This solution provides fault tolerance by spreading the same end point over two SIUs and load
balancing the traffic between them. Should one SIU fail, the second SIU takes control. This
allows the system to remain in service without losing capacity for the service being provided.

APEX Voice Communications

SS7 Module APEX Multi-Service Platform Technical Brief

APEX SS7 solutions also provide the following redundancy features:

9 Data Link Redundancy:
Two data links are configured to be connected to the same STP (usually at 40% capacity)
and are load balanced. In case of the failure of one data link, the STP will route the SS7
signaling over the remaining active signaling link and assure the continuity of service for
subscribers.
9 STP Redundancy:
SS7 links are connected to 2 physically separate STP network elements and the traffic is
load balanced between them. In the case that one STP fails, the remaining active STP will
process the traffic routed to the platform and assure the continuity of service for subscribers.

Other OmniVox3D Application Server Technologies

Whether managing an Enterprise or Service Provider network, the OmniVox3D Application
Server provides a one-stop solution for all call and session processing requirements.
OmniView and OmniVox3D provide a feature rich environment allowing for remote operation
and administration of application server configurations.
Following is a list of the modules and technologies available for the OmniVox3D Application
Server that provide any network with the unlimited power to grow in sophistication and size, at
any markets pace.

OmniView Service Creation

OAM&P
Automatic Speech Recognition
Video
Conferencing
LDAP/IMAP
RADIUS/Diameter
Real Time Billing
SNMP
Reporting
SS7 and SS7 ISUP Loopback
VXML Service Creation

Summary
APEXs implementations of SS7/C7 technologies allow Service Providers to seamlessly activate
enhanced services with the OmniVox3D Application Server. These services include real time
billing, prepaid calling, unified messaging and intelligent call routing in the SS7 network.
The Signaling Gateway in OmniVoXML may be configured in the APEX MSP to meet many
budgetary and redundancy requirements. APEX MSP configurations can include a costeffective entry level system to the fault-tolerant, five-nines (99.999%) configurations demanded
by todays Service Providers.

APEX Voice Communications

SS7 Module APEX Multi-Service Platform Technical Brief

SS7 not only provides faster call set up times. Coupled with OmniVox3D and OmniViews
OAM&P and award winning Service Creation environment; an APEX SS7 implementation
offers the ability to efficiently design, develop, deploy and then operate enhanced services in a
very short time from a central location and interface.
The SS7 Signaling Gateway for the OmniVoXML Media Gateway and the APEX MSP provides
not only high reliability, high availability and high performance; but also the flexibility to add
media to the SS7 network in centralized or distributed configurations in a standards based, true
open architecture environment.

Copyright 2007 APEX Voice Communications, Inc. OmniVox3D, OmniView and OmniVoXML are registered trademarks and
APEX MSP is a trademark of APEX Voice Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Other trademarks and registered trademarks
are the property of their respective companies. Specifications subject to change without notice.

APEX Voice Communications

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