This invention relates to tools for planning Signaling System 7 (SS7) communication networks.
An SS7 network is a packet data network used for out-of-band signaling to perform call set-up and tear-down, to implement Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) services, to route traffic to interexchange carriers (IXCs), and to access database information needed to provide certain services such as 800, LNP, and LIDB. Core components of the SS7 network include switches called Signal Transfer Points (STPs). The STPs are interconnected with data links to form a core network.
Connected to each STP may be several different network elements. Signal Switching Points (SSPs or central offices) route calls. Points-of-Presence (POPs) serve as sources and sinks for network traffic. POPs provide alternate local carriers and IXCs with access to the Local Access and Transport Area (LATA) serviced by the STP. Network databases (DBs) support customer services.
Designing an alternative network includes adding, deleting, and moving network components, changing component capabilities, adding and modifying network services, and modifying connectivity between components. Changes to an existing network can create unintended situations. Removing an STP can leave elements disconnected from the network. Removing a database can eliminate a required service. Modifying connectivity can create load in excess of capacity on certain links and network components. Designs are further complicated by changing loads and service requirements over time.
Traditionally, SS7 network planning has been accomplished through the use of spreadsheets. These spreadsheets only model a portion of the network such as, for example, the core network. Another difficulty is that load information has to be manually entered. Further, graphical display of the network and the effects of modifying the network are limited. As network size and complexity increases, the number of variables used to model the network is increasing beyond the capacity of the spreadsheet. Finally, a user attempting to create an alternative network does not have sufficient guidance and correctness validation.
What is needed is an SS7 network modeling tool that provides greater capabilities. The tool should guide a user through the development of an alternative network design. A graphical user interface should provide the user with an image of the network and allow the user to graphically select network components for modification. The tool should determine equipment capacity exhaustion due to maximum loads forecast for each study period and the costs for alternative networks.
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an SS7 network modeling tool with greater capabilities than existing tools.
Another object of the present invention is to guide the user through the development of an alternative network design.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a graphical user interface showing the user with an image of the network and allowing the user to graphically select network components for modification.
A further object of the present invention is to determine equipment capacity exhaustion due to maximum loads forecast for each study period.
A still further object of the present invention is to determine costs for alternative networks.
In carrying out the above objects and other objects and features of the present invention, a system is provided for planning a Signaling System 7 (SS7) network over a sequence of study periods. The system includes at least one planning database containing information on network traffic, network component locations, and network component connectivity. A load module determines peak loads for each STP in the core network based on network traffic, component locations, and component connectivity, and stores the peak loads in the planning database. A forecast module determines equipment capacity exhaustion for each STP, network DB, and core network link during each study period and determines network costs based on peak loads and an alternative network design provided by a user. A graphical user interface guides the user through a sequence of designing steps, each step having to be correctly completed before the next step in the sequence is started.
In one embodiment, the sequence of steps through which the graphical user interface guides the user includes permitting changes to the core network, permitting changes to the number of POPs and DBs, rehoming elements left unconnected to STPs, assigning SSPs to POPs, assigning SSPs to DBs, and permitting voluntary rehomes.
In another embodiment, the graphical user interface shows graphical representations of the network on a display and allows the user to modify the network by selecting displayed graphical representations of network components.
A method is also provided including obtaining network traffic information from the network, determining current peak loads for each STP based on the network traffic information, and specifying an alternative network through a sequence of designing steps, each step having to be correctly completed before the next step in the sequence can be started. For each study period, the method includes forecasting peak loads for each STP based on the current peak loads for each STP, determining equipment capacity exhaustion for each STP, network DB, and core network link in the alternative network based on the forecasted peak loads, and determining costs for the alternative network.
The above objects and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.