M2PA - SS7 MTP2-User Peer-to-Peer Adaptation Layer (M2PA)

This Internet-Draft provides information for the Internet community on clarifications and interpretations of the text of the SS7 MTP-User Peer-to-Peer Adaptation Layer (M2PA) based on working group comments and experience at interoperability events. It also provides information on specification addendum and errata -- whether or an editorial or technical nature -- discovered to the date of this document.

This document defines a protocol supporting the transport of Signaling System Number 7 (SS7) Message Transfer Part (MTP) Level 3 signaling messages over Internet Protocol (IP) using the services of the Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP). This protocol would be used between SS7 Signaling Points using the MTP Level 3 protocol. The SS7 Signaling Points may also use standard SS7 links using the SS7 MTP Level 2 to provide transport of MTP Level 3 signaling messages. The protocol operates in a manner similar to MTP Level 2 so as to provide peer-to-peer communication between SS7 endpoints.

This Internet Draft defines a protocol for backhauling of SS7 MTP2 User signalling messages over IP using the Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP). This protocol would be used between a Signalling Gateway (SG) and Media Gateway Controller (MGC). It is assumed that the SG receives SS7 signalling over a standard SS7 interface using the SS7 Message Transfer Part (MTP) to provide transport. The Signalling Gateway would act as a Signalling Link Terminal.

This Internet Draft defines a protocol for adapting the SS7 MTP2 User for signaling over an IP connection using the Simple Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP). This protocol is used between SS7 Signaling Points equipped with an IP connection (IPSPs). Signaling points using this protocol are capable of MTP Level 3 routing. This protocol may be used in a Signaling Gateway (SG). The SG receives SS7 signaling over a standard SS7 interface using the SS7 Message Transfer Part (MTP) to provide transport, and has the capability to use MTP to route signaling to IPSPs. The protocol thereby retains the features of MTP Level 3, including Network Management.

This Internet Draft provides information for the Internet community on test cases for testing the SS7 M2P2-User Peer-to-Peer Adaptation Layer [M2PA11] based on the conformance test specifications for SS7 MTP Level 2 [Q.781].

This memo describes the test environment and a detailed description of test cases for validation, compatibility and interoperability testing of the M2PA protocol implemented on the foundation of ITU SS7 MTP Signalling Links [Q.703].

This document captures problems and issues discovered on the SIGTRAN mailing list and at M2PA Interoperability Tests. This document will be updated after each interoperability test to include any new issues. Two basic sets of problems are identified by this draft: (1) issues that need to be addressed in the next revision of the M2PA draft, and (2) issues that were found that are strictly implementation problems.