Platform meets IP networks test requirements

However, the transition to all IP requires “Gateways” that convert legacy signaling and traffic carried over TDM to new IP signalling / traffic carried over IP/Ethernet - therefore the need to test and emulate elements within both.

“GL’s MAPS (Message Automation and Protocol Simulation) platforms can be used to simulate various elements in a hybrid TDM VoIP network” commented GL CEO Vijay Kulkarni  “As depicted in the network diagram, SS7 signalling in the PSTN is translated to SIGTRAN by the Signaling Gateway (SG).  TDM traffic is repackaged into RTP packets by the Media Gateway (MG).  A Media Gateway Controller (MGC) controls the various elements within the IP Network using SIP, Megaco, and MGCP protocols.  The reverse may happen if the call is destined to PSTN.  If the call stays within the IP domain, then an IP PBX may route the call to an IP endpoint.”

A typical MAPS platform simulating a Signaling Gateway may consist of high density T1 E1 Cards, a Gigabit Ethernet Card, a multiprocessor CPU (such as an i7 PC) and MAPS SIGTRAN and MAPS SS7 software. Pre-written scripts translate SS7 to Sigtran and vice a versa. Media Gateways can be similarly integrated using MAPS software products, for Media Gateways high density T1 E1 Cards and MAPS Megaco or MAPS MGCP is required. Similarly, MAPS can assume the role of any of the elements.

Kulkarni explained, “Hundreds to thousands of calls can be generated by MAPS SS7, MAPS ISDN, or MAPS CASelements.This includes TDM traffic such as voice and fax over T1 E1 and ISUP signaling per ITU-T, ANSI, ETSI and CHINA standards. ISDN and CAS are also supported. MAPS SIGTRAN and MAPS SS7can be combined into one entity to emulate a complete Signaling Gateway. M3UA, M2UA, and M2PA modes are easily supported.”