So what do all these acronyms and abbreviations stand for anyway?
SSP. Service signaling point is an end point in a common channel signaling system network that provides end user services such as call setup and tear down.
SCP. A Service Control Point (SCP) is End Point in a Common Channel Signaling System #7 SS7) network that provides a service such as LNP, TFS or cname services, and typically but not exclusively requires database lookup. SS7 networks consist of SCPs, STPs and SSPs.
STP. Signaling Transfer Point (STP) in a Common Channel Signaling System #7 SS7) network provides intelligent routing and management features between various End-Points such as SSPs and SCPs.
TCAP. Transaction Capability Application Part (TCAP). Protocol layer that sits on top of SCCP. In turn TCAP carries higher level protocols such as RANAP, MAP etc.
DPC. Destination Point Code (DPC) is carried in the Routing Label and indicates the Point Code to which the messages is addressed. It is used by MTP3 to address SS7 MSUs.
ISUP. ISDN User Part (ISUP) is a Call Control protocol used in establishing (call set-up) or terminating (call tear-down) a connection on a Circuit Switched Network (CSN). Other call control protocols are TUP, BISUP and national variants such as IUP and NUP.
MTP. Message Transfer Part (MTP). Generic term covering layer MTP3, MTP2 and MTP1.
MTP1. Message Transfer Part 1 (MTP1). The physical layer concerned with placing data onto, and reading from, a single (point-to-point) network connection.
MTP2. Message Transfer Part 2 (MTP2). Data Link Layer - concerned with ensure reliable communication between both ends of a single (point-to-point) network connection.
MTP3. Message Transfer Part 3 (MTP3). Network layer - concerned with moving data between end points in the network. The end-point address (point code) is visible to MTP3.
SSN. Subsystem Number (SSN) is used by SCCP to identify the subsystem (application) for which the message is destined for example a specific database or system such as a LNP.
Call Control. Call Control is the generic term used to describe messages which are concerned with establishing (call set-up) or terminating (call tear-down) a connection on a Circuit Switched Network (CSN).
CSN. Circuit Switched Network (CSN). Network in which a permanent end-to-end circuit is maintained from call establishement to call tear-down. Contrasted with packet networks.
SCCP. Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP) is carried in MSUs and allows for routing to applications based on one or more of the Point Code, subsystem number or called/in calling party number. SCCP supports and number of services such as TCAP, MAP, RANAP, INAP.
SSP. Service signaling point is an end point in a common channel signaling system network that provides end user services such as call setup and tear down.
SCP. A Service Control Point (SCP) is End Point in a Common Channel Signaling System #7 SS7) network that provides a service such as LNP, TFS or cname services, and typically but not exclusively requires database lookup. SS7 networks consist of SCPs, STPs and SSPs.
STP. Signaling Transfer Point (STP) in a Common Channel Signaling System #7 SS7) network provides intelligent routing and management features between various End-Points such as SSPs and SCPs.
TCAP. Transaction Capability Application Part (TCAP). Protocol layer that sits on top of SCCP. In turn TCAP carries higher level protocols such as RANAP, MAP etc.
DPC. Destination Point Code (DPC) is carried in the Routing Label and indicates the Point Code to which the messages is addressed. It is used by MTP3 to address SS7 MSUs.
ISUP. ISDN User Part (ISUP) is a Call Control protocol used in establishing (call set-up) or terminating (call tear-down) a connection on a Circuit Switched Network (CSN). Other call control protocols are TUP, BISUP and national variants such as IUP and NUP.
MTP. Message Transfer Part (MTP). Generic term covering layer MTP3, MTP2 and MTP1.
MTP1. Message Transfer Part 1 (MTP1). The physical layer concerned with placing data onto, and reading from, a single (point-to-point) network connection.
MTP2. Message Transfer Part 2 (MTP2). Data Link Layer - concerned with ensure reliable communication between both ends of a single (point-to-point) network connection.
MTP3. Message Transfer Part 3 (MTP3). Network layer - concerned with moving data between end points in the network. The end-point address (point code) is visible to MTP3.
SSN. Subsystem Number (SSN) is used by SCCP to identify the subsystem (application) for which the message is destined for example a specific database or system such as a LNP.
Call Control. Call Control is the generic term used to describe messages which are concerned with establishing (call set-up) or terminating (call tear-down) a connection on a Circuit Switched Network (CSN).
CSN. Circuit Switched Network (CSN). Network in which a permanent end-to-end circuit is maintained from call establishement to call tear-down. Contrasted with packet networks.
SCCP. Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP) is carried in MSUs and allows for routing to applications based on one or more of the Point Code, subsystem number or called/in calling party number. SCCP supports and number of services such as TCAP, MAP, RANAP, INAP.