Transcend Distributed SS7 Gateway Overview
Transcend SS7 is a java-based signaling platform which is a feature rich enhanced follow-on version of the popular Restcomm SS7 module. As with all the Transcend Distributed Communication products, this messaging platform has significantly better scalability than Restcomm, its predecessor as it is based on a distributed architecture using Kafka and MongoDB for its DBMS. It has an elegant graphical user interface enabling centralized management as well as better documentation. Additionally, the perpetual pricing is TPS-based and much more cost-effective. When you need to scale to handle more transactions, you simply add another instance for a specific number of transactions or unlimited transactions. To overcome your application’s bottlenecks, you can use multiple unlimited versions of the platform.
With Transcend Distributed SS7, the APIs are the same as Restcomm APIs for installed base users. When H/A or higher transaction levels are required, no Load Balancer is required. The GUI management tool easily adds additional modules to the Kafka-based network. This reduces the cost significantly.
SS7 Basics
SS7 (Signaling System 7) is an international telecommunication protocol standard that defines how the network elements in public switched telephone network (PSTN) exchange information and control signals. Nodes in an SS7 networks are called signaling points.
SS7 software represents a set of protocols allowing phone networks to exchange the information needed for passing calls and text messages between each other and to ensure correct billing. SS7 protocol performs common mass-market solutions, including call waiting, short message service (SMS), prepaid billing, number translation, call forwarding, local number portability, and conference calling, and other services. It also allows users on one network to roam on another, such as when traveling in a foreign country.
How Transcend SS7 is deployed in telecommunications?
The signaling transport (SIGTRAN) protocols provide interoperability of SS7 signaling to operate over IP-based networks. This enables PSTN service to operate over legacy, analog plain old telephone service systems and modern IP networking equipment. SIGTRAN uses its own Stream Control Transmission Protocol.
SS7 Protocols
Bullet list of protocols: M3UA, SCCP, TCAP, CAMEL, MAP, ISUP
SS7 FAQ
Why is SS7 classified as a common channel signaling protocol?
The additional data channel offered by the SS7 made many of today’s telephony conveniences possible. This makes SS7 a form of common channel signaling that provides network intelligence, transmits a large amount of call and user related information, and allows calls to be set up and disconnected faster, saving time and money.
What is SS7 vs SIGTRAN difference?
When using the SS7 protocol, a special channel is used to send signaling information that is common to multiple calls. SIGTRAN (Signaling Transport Working Group) handles the same call control applications and features as SS7. However, SIGTRAN uses IP (Internet Protocol) and SCTP (flow control protocol) transport instead of TCP or UDP, mainly due to security concerns.
What is SS7 vs Diameter difference?
SS7 was designed to handle the call management and signaling requirements of digital networks based on full duplex channels. The Diameter protocol is based on the Remote User Authentication Service (RADIUS) protocol with a number of enhancements.
Diameter is widely used in recent versions of 3GPP for Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) services, while SS7 was originally used with PSTN and GSM networks for digital signaling between different nodes. The Diameter protocol works on an IP network, while SS7 can be used on digital links, such as E1-based Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) networks.
Is an SS7 attack possible?
SS7 attacks are mobile cyber-attacks that break into and intercept voice and SMS messages on cellular networks by exploiting security flaws in the SS7 protocol. SS7 attacks target mobile phones.
How to prevent SS7 attack?
In the operation of mobile networks, priority should be given to education and awareness. Customers can protect their phones with increased consumer focus on security controls that include multi-factor authentication, event monitoring and analysis, ongoing updates.
Transcend SS7 Features and Benefits
Open-Source Java
Transcend jSS7 is an Open-Source Java-based implementation of the SS7 protocol stack that includes modules for supporting the essential and most frequently used of an SS7 network. The Transcend Distributed Communication Suite is a commercial version so it is much more robust than the open source version.
Plain and Rigid
Transcend SS7 rigidly adheres to the standards and specifications defined by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
High-available System
Transcend jSS7 is designed to avoid loss of service by reducing and managing failures and minimizing planned downtime.
OS Variability
jSS7 can be installed on any operating system with an SCTP (Stream Control Transmission Protocol) library, including Linux and Windows Server, for IP based M3UA deployments. It supports TDM hardware by Dialogic for legacy based TDM and digital deployments
Scalability and Resilience
Transcend jSS7 is part of a complete telecom core forming the basis of a next-generation, API driven and WebRTC-enabled service provider or enterprise solution. The jSS7 stack supports active and standby failover for local and geographically distributed servers
API-flexible
Transcend SS7 provides a flexible API that hides the lower layer details (legacy SS7 links or SIGTRAN), making it simple and easy to develop SS7 applications and migrate your applications from analog or digital TDM (Time Division Multiplexing) hardware to internet protocol (IP) based solutions for M3UA.
Multiple Programming Language Support
Transcend SS7 supports various programming languages in a standalone mode, as long as a result adheres to all other standards.
Monitoring and Management Tools Integration
Transcend SS7 supports built-in integration with monitoring and management tools like Graylog and Datalog.
What is Transcend SS7
Signaling System 7 (SS7) is an international telecommunication protocol standard that defines how the network elements in a public switched telephone network (PSTN) exchange information and control signals. Nodes in an SS7 network are called signaling points.
SS7 represents a set of protocols allowing phone networks to exchange the information needed for passing calls and text messages between each other and to ensure correct billing. It also allows users on one network to roam on another, such as when traveling in a foreign country.
SS7 was introduced in 1975. During the early 1990s, the SS7-based software systems were just coming into wide use. Today it is considered outdated, nevertheless carriers still use this technology as a backup in their networks.