SS7 Route Management Message Gateway Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional breakout gateway control functions (BGCF) in non-SS7 networks are not aware of SS7 network topology or dynamic changes, leading to routing inefficiencies and congestion due to lack of information about SS7 network conditions, causing suboptimal routing decisions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a route management message processing system that generates and communicates SS7 network status information to non-SS7 networks, identifying preferred gateways for routing signaling traffic, using a non-SS7 protocol to direct traffic efficiently through the SS7 network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If BGCF in non-SS7 network uses conventional routing rules to direct signaling traffic into SS7 network, then routing decisions can be made without SS7 network information, but routing inefficiencies and congestion occur due to lack of SS7 network condition awareness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where SS7 signaling nodes detect network conditions (link failures, congestion, route changes) and send route management messages back to the non-SS7 network node. This feedback loop enables the BGCF to receive real-time SS7 network status information and dynamically adjust routing decisions, resolving the information asymmetry problem that causes routing inefficiencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that translates SS7 network management information into a format understandable by non-SS7 networks. The route management messages act as intermediaries, carrying condensed SS7 network status information to the BGCF, enabling informed routing decisions without requiring the BGCF to directly participate in SS7 network management.
2Productivity
If SS7 signaling nodes send detailed network status information to non-SS7 networks, then routing decisions can be optimized, but message complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential routing-relevant information from SS7 network status data. Instead of transmitting complete network state information, the system sends condensed route management messages containing only critical elements such as preferred gateway identification and routing status changes. This extraction principle reduces message complexity while maintaining routing optimization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms complex SS7 network management parameters into simplified routing parameters suitable for non-SS7 networks. By changing the parameter representation from detailed SS7 network management data to condensed route management information, the system achieves routing optimization without overwhelming message processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for managing the flow of signaling traffic entering a signaling system 7 (SS7) based network having a plurality of gateways for connecting the SS7 network to a non-SS7 network are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for managing the flow of signaling traffic entering the SS7 based network includes generating, at a signaling node within the SS7 network, a route management message including information for identifying one of the plurality of gateways as the preferred gateway for traffic into the SS7 network. The message is sent to a node in the non-SS7 network for directing traffic into the SS7 network via the identified gateway.