GL Communications…No Need To Travel…Surveys Tasks Remotely

[SatNews] A network operator, service provider, or equipment manufacturer must have the means to perform surveillance tasks remotely, automatically, and non-intrusively.

The SS7 network is the backbone for fast and efficient signaling irrespective of network type—whether wireless, wired, or VoIP. Also, the inherent database features of SS7 make today’s advanced intelligent features and services a reality.

To keep pace with this evolution, GL has enhanced its SS7 monitoring and diagnostic system. Not only can it be used for billing verification, remote protocol analysis, and traffic engineering, but now it can also provide key performance indicators, failure analysis, and call trace capability, to name a few.

A network operator, service provider, or equipment manufacturer must have the means to perform surveillance tasks remotely, automatically, and non-intrusively. Fortunately, the network backbone contains a wealth of information that can be monitored and collected to support these activities.

GL’s TDM Network Monitoring System uses an open three tier distributed architecture driven by non-intrusive hardware probes, intelligent software, and a database engine. The architecture as shown in the graphic consists of a scalable and flexible system, so the user can use it for multiple sites and various applications.

T1/E1/T3/E3 Probes are deployed in the field to monitor various protocols and conditions which are then collected at a central site into a database. Data records are stored into a centralized database (Oracle) using ODBC. With the use of web server, the remote / local monitoring can be accessed using simple web browser interface such as SS7 / ISDN NetSurveyorWeb™ or NetSurveyorWeb™ for T1E1 Physical Layer.

Typical Applications:

• Call Detail Records, fraud detection and location, remote protocol analysis and troubleshooting, real-time signaling monitor, traffic optimization engineering, and statistics.
• Determine actual call signaling routes to verify network functionality under all situations including congestion and loss of SS7 nodes.
• Revenue and billing verification, alarm monitoring, intrusive testing.
• Quality of service measurements, call trace and recording.

Conventional Protocols:

• CAS (R1- now, R2 – future), SS7 ISUP/TUP (Different Variants), SS7 ANSI AIN.
• ISDN (4ESS, 5ESS, ITU, ETSI, BELLCORE, QSIG).
• GR303, V5.X, INAP CS1 & CS2, INAP+.

Protocols for Mobile Networks:

• IS41-C, GSM A and A-bis Interface, GPRS Gb, ETSI MAP.