Relay Node Routing for SIGTRAN Interoperability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current SIGTRAN protocols in IP-based signaling networks face limitations in enabling communication between different types of signaling processes, require additional resources for interworking, and lack defined network nodes for centralized functions, leading to increased operational expenditure and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A network node with multiple interfaces that translates and routes messages between different types of signaling processes without requiring SS7 protocol stacks, allowing communication between incompatible interfaces and performing centralized functions, such as message translation and network management, using a user adaptation layer like SUA or M3UA.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standard SIGTRAN interfaces are used for communication between different signaling processes, then protocol compatibility is maintained, but communication capability between different process types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay node as an intermediary component in the SIGTRAN network. This relay node translates messages between different signaling process types (SGP, ASP, IPSP) that would otherwise be incompatible. The relay node acts as a mediator that receives messages from one process type, translates them to the appropriate format, and forwards them to the destination process type, thereby enabling communication between incompatible interfaces without requiring each node to support all interface types directly
Solution Approach 2:
The relay node is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple signaling process types (SGP, ASP, IPSP) through a single interface. Instead of requiring separate dedicated interfaces for each process type communication, the relay node can translate and route messages between any combination of these process types, providing a universal solution that simplifies the overall network architecture while maintaining protocol compatibility
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional functionality is added to SIGTRAN network nodes to improve communication capabilities, then interoperability between different process types is achieved, but node complexity and operational expenditure increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than adding multiple interface types to each network node, the patent concentrates the translation functionality in dedicated relay nodes. This approach reduces the complexity of individual nodes while maintaining overall interoperability, as each node only needs to implement its native interface type and rely on relay nodes for translation to other types
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the translation functionality from the end nodes and concentrates it in relay nodes. This segmentation allows end nodes (SGP, ASP, IPSP) to remain simple and focused on their specific functions, while the complex translation and routing logic is isolated in relay nodes, thereby reducing operational expenditure and configuration complexity at the majority of network nodes
3Adaptability or versatility
If SS7 protocol stacks are implemented in network nodes to enable relay functionality, then message routing between SS7 and IP networks is achieved, but resource consumption and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The relay node serves as an intermediary that translates messages at the SIGTRAN adaptation layer without requiring full SS7 protocol stack implementation. This approach enables relay functionality between SS7 and IP networks by translating at the appropriate layer, avoiding the resource-intensive requirement of implementing complete SS7 stacks in IP-based network nodes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical approach of implementing full SS7 protocol stacks with a more efficient method of translating at the SIGTRAN adaptation layer. This substitution eliminates the need for complex SS7 stack implementation in IP nodes, reducing resource consumption while maintaining the ability to relay messages between SS7 and IP networks
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of routing messages in an IP-based signaling network is provided. Further, a network node (201) for performing such a routing of messages in an IP- based signaling network, is provided. The network node (201) comprises at least two interfaces (214, 215) and a processing unit (302) configured to route an incoming message received at a first of the at least two interfaces to a second interface of the at least two interfaces. Further, a relay network comprising plural of such network nodes as relay nodes is provided.