Solacom SS7, Quick Start Manual

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SS7 Quick Start Guide
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2 Introduction
This section introduces SS7, the SS7 stack, and Solacom’s SS7 SIL and VSOS.
2.1 What is SS7?
Common Channel Signaling System No. 7 (SS7) is a global ITU standard that
defines the procedures and protocols by which network elements exchange call
information in the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The SS7 network is
an out-of-band digital overlay network using 56/64 kbps DS0 channels for relaying
message units.
SS7 network and protocol are used for:

basic call setup, management, and tear down

wireless services such as personal communications services (PCS), wireless
roaming, and mobile subscriber authentication

local number portability (LNP)

toll-free (800/888) and toll (900) wireline services

enhanced call features such as call forwarding, calling party name/number
display, and three-way calling

efficient and secure worldwide telecommunications
The Solacom SS7 Solution consists of SS7 signaling software and an SS7 module.
The signaling software integrates all layers of the SS7 protocol stack and the
Solacom SS7 SIL. The SIL translates messages for the Solacom switch operating
system (VSOS) and provides a seamless interface to the Solacom application
interface known as the Managed API.