Signaling System No. 7 (SS7/C7): Protocol, Architecture, and Services (Networking Technology) (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Jeff Hewett (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A complete, practical guide to the world's most popular signaling system, including SIGTRAN, GSM-MAP, and Intelligent Networks.

*Provides in-depth coverage of the SS7 protocols, including implementation details
*Covers SS7 over IP (SIGTRAN) using real-world examples
*Covers SS7/C7 from both a North American and European perspective, providing a broad international understanding of the technology and associated standards
*Explains mobile wireless concepts and signaling, including mobile application part (MAP)
*Provides a thorough explanation of the Intelligent Network (IN) and associated protocols (INAP/AIN)

Signaling System No. 7 (SS7) is a signaling network and protocol that is used globally to bring telecommunications networks, both fixed-line and cellular, to life. SS7 has numerous applications and is at the very heart of telecommunications. Setting up phone calls, providing cellular roaming and messaging, and supplying converged voice and data services are only a few of the ways that SS7 is used in the communications network. SS7 also provides the point of interconnection between converging voice and data networks. This transition, which affects everyone who works with the data network, has bolstered the need for practical and applied information on SS7. In short, anyone who is interested in telecommunications should have a solid understanding of SS7.

Signaling System No. 7 (SS7/C7): Protocol, Architecture, and Services will help you understand SS7 from several perspectives. It examines the framework and architecture of SS7, as well as how it is used to provide today's telecommunications services. It also examines each level of the SS7 protocol-all the way down to the bit level of messages. In addition, the SIGTRAN standards are discussed in detail, showing the migration from SS7 to IP and explaining how SS7 information is transported over IP.

About the Author

Lee Dryburgh is an SS7/C7 specialist, who focuses on SS7/C7 services and next-generation solutions. Lee has worked with SS7/C7 throughout his entire career, approaching the subject from a number of perspectives, including software engineering, testing, training, security auditing, and architectural design, in both fixed-line and cellular networks, including 3G. Currently, Lee provides SS7/C7 training and consulting through his company, Bit Tech Limited. Lee is a member of several professional telecommunications bodies and holds a degree in computer science. He is currently studying for an engineering doctorate at the University College of London, focusing on SS7oIP issues.

Jeff Hewett is a technical leader at Cisco Systems and is currently working in voice over IP software development. Having been involved with SS7 for more than 16 years, Jeff has worked in SS7 software development, testing, and training. He is a patent holder in SS7-related software development and has written about SS7 in popular journals. He has provided a broad range of SS7 training for Regional Bell Operating Companies, independent operators, and telecommunications vendors, dating back to the initial rollout of SS7 in the U.S. network. In more recent years, Jeff has been involved with voice over packet solutions as an engineer in the Cisco Networked Solutions Integration Test Engineering (NSITE) lab.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 744 pages
• Publisher: Cisco Press (August 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587050404
• ISBN-13: 978-1587050404
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.6 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #924,427 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Probably the most comprehensive and up to date!, September 17, 2004

By	DI Alexander Poropatich (Vienna, Austria) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am a researcher at Vienna University of Technology with the focus on signalling in IP networks. The current projects deal with PSTN/IP telephony convergence, so I needed a good understanding of SS7.

This book was easier to understand than the other popular book on SS7 (which I also own), contained better explanations, more practical details, and covered European network implementations in addition to US networks.

It seems very comprehensive as I was not forced to look up some other literature since all relevant topics are already covered.
The book has a very understandable introductions to SS7 AND full details of the protocol stack (MTP, ISUP, SCCP, TCAP) as well as its interaction with Intelligent Network services, GSM cellular networks like and IP.

There is even a chapter dedicated to SigTran, specifying the way how SS7 messages can be transported over IP networks.

It seems that the authors also have a clear understanding of IP networks which is very beneficial for the book, since it helps bridge over the two worlds.

I am glad to have a copy of this book in my library. It's probably the most comprehensive, best written and most up to date SS7 book available.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the book I've been looking for!, October 4, 2004

By	M. Schares (Kansas City) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

How great it is to find a book that covers the depth and breadth of SS7! Having worked with the SS7 protocol for the past 10 years, I am pleasantly surprised by this latest book by Lee Dryburgh and Jeff Hewett. Their book provides me one stop shopping, where in the past I have had to accumulate several technical resources to find the same information. Topics encompass telecom history, network terminology, interactions between PSTN and SS7 networks, SS7 protocols, SS7 testing requirements, application of TCAP protocols across an SS7 network, Next Generation protocols, and MORE!
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This text is written in a manner that is easily understood by those new to the topic of SS7, and as such can be used as a training resource. Anyone who buys this book will keep it as a referral document for a long time to come.

I highly recommend Signaling System No. 7 (SS7/C7) Protocol, Architecture, and Services.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book!, October 18, 2004

By	Magnolia Kahrizi (Montreal, Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is very easy to read and to understand and probably the best single resource for gaining a solid understanding of SS7.

It not only covers protocols found in the traditional SS7 stack (MTP, SCCP, TCAP, etc), but also details protocols found in SS7 over IP (SigTran - SUA, M3UA, etc). There is even a section on service-oriented protocols, including GSM MAP.

I highly recommend it to anyone who works in SS7 - I don't know any other book that comes close!